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General surgery

Our General Surgery service cares for patients with both simple and complex surgical needs and offers planned (elective) and emergency care for patients

What we do

General Surgery provides assessment, diagnosis and surgical management of conditions affecting the abdomen, skin and soft tissues, breast, and some endocrine organs.  

Who we care for

Our General Surgery team offers expert care across a wide range of conditions, from common issues like hernias and gallstones to more specialised areas such as Upper and lower GI conditions and metabolic surgery. 

Whatever brings you to us, you'll be treated with a high level of experienced and compassionate care.

We care for and treat people with:

  • Breast conditions — suspected or confirmed cancer, breast lumps, inherited risk advice, breast reduction
  • Gallbladder and biliary conditions — gallstones, polyps, cholecystectomy
  • Hernias — inguinal, femoral, umbilical/para‑umbilical, incisional, recurrent
  • Colorectal and anal conditions — haemorrhoids, fissures, fistula, rectal bleeding, rectal prolapse, faecal incontinence
  • Skin and soft‑tissue lesions — cysts, lipomas, ganglia, minor skin cancers, pilonidal sinus, perianal lumps
  • Upper and lower GI conditions — gastroscopy, hiatus hernia, diagnostic laparoscopy, small and large bowel disease (including minimally invasive and perianal procedures)
  • Endocrine conditions — thyroid and parathyroid assessment (non‑operative)
  • HPB (hepatic, pancreatic, biliary) assessment
  • Suspected colorectal cancer
  • Hand and foot conditions — carpal tunnel (with nerve studies), Dupuytren’s contracture, ingrown toenails
  • Vasectomy
  • Metabolic (weight‑reduction) surgery

See the list of surgery exclusions

The following conditions/procedures are not routinely seen at Bayside Health Wonthaggi & Phillip Island:

  • Major endocrine surgery — thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, adrenal surgery
  • Complex colorecta and anal surgery — malignant anal/rectal disease, complex fistula repair, trans‑anal endoscopic microsurgery
  • Major upper GI surgery — oesophagogastric surgery, radical gastric cancer surgery
  • HPB major surgery — liver resection, pancreatic surgery, malignant biliary/pancreatic disease
  • Head and neck surgery — malignant salivary gland disease, neck dissection, reconstructive surgery, tongue surgery, sarcoma
  • Advanced endoscopy — ERCP, EUS, dilatation, resectional procedures, capsule endoscopy
  • Vascular surgery — varicose veins
  • Specialist procedures — pelvic pouch surgery, peritonectomy, aerodigestive tract disease, benign biliary stricture
  • Other exclusions — erectile dysfunction surgery, transvaginal mesh surgery, rectus abdominis/divarication repair, tonsil surgery, complex hand/foot/ankle soft‑tissue surgery. 

How to access this service

Referral to this service can be made by your general practitioner (GP), another medical specialist or a healthcare professional, as well as hospital-based staff in the emergency department, inpatient wards and other areas of the hospital.

Referrals can be made via the telephone, email, fax or post as follows.

Phone: (03) 5671 3175
Email: access@basscoasthealth.com.au
Fax: (03) 9102 5307
Address: Access Team, P.O. Box 120, Wonthaggi, Vic, 3995

We will contact you within clinically recommended timeframes. If there’s no waiting list, you’ll receive an appointment booking letter or we’ll call to arrange a convenient time.

Clinically recommended guidance and resources for Health Professionals in the Gippsland region are available through Gippsland Pathways.

If you need surgery, you will be placed on a surgical waiting list after being seen in clinic. You may also need to attend the Pre-Admission Clinic prior to your surgery. 

Pre-Admission clinic information

Our pre-admission clinics ensure patients are fit and ready for surgery, reducing last-minute cancellations, and pre-surgery reminder calls help confirm appointments.

Pre-admission services ensure patients are thoroughly prepared for surgery through medical evaluations, diagnostic tests and consultations with surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals. These services aim to reduce patient anxiety, optimise surgical outcomes, and streamline the admission process.

By providing clear instructions and addressing any questions, pre-admission services enhance patient safety and contribute to a more efficient healthcare experience. 

What to bring with you

Every time you come:

  • Medicare card
  • Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
  • Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
  • Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
  • Previous X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
  • Medicines you need to take while you are here
  • List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Glasses, hearing aid(s) and/or walking frame if needed

Bringing these items helps us give you the best care possible and ensures your visit goes smoothly.

More information 

To find out more in regard to general surgery services provided by Wonthaggi Hospital and Phillip Island Community Hospital contact us. 

Phone: (03) 5671 3175 
Email: access@basscoasthealth.org.au 

Clinic consultants

  • Mr Travis Ackermann - General Surgeon
  • Dr Sarah Birks - General Surgeon
  • Mr Andrew (Andy) Gray - General Surgeon
  • Dr Kumar Sundaramurthy - Clinical Director of Surgery
  • Dr Chandika Wewelwala - General and Breast Surgeon
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