We recommend that adults and children over 12 wear face masks when attending our clinic, but no longer provide masks to patients and carers. Videoconsultations are conducted via telehealth at our dedicated virtual clinic. We are experiencing high demand for appointments hence require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment so that we can identify and manage urgent and emergency conditions in a timely manner, and so that our surgeons can assess your suitability for a telehealth appointment and identify any further information or tests that might be required before your consultation. If our surgeons assess that your condition (especially recent injuries) is best managed with hand therapy rather than surgery we may recommend that you see a qualified hand therapist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist) rather than schedule an appointment with our surgeons. Dr Tomlinson does not offer consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply; this includes injections for palmar hyperhidrosis. Dr Tomlinson has scheduled sabbatical leave during much of October, November and December 2023 so will not be available for urgent or emergency referrals during that time.

About this website

Created 10 December 2011, last modified 15 July 2013

Did you know studies show that 50% of patients walk out of a doctor's office not knowing what they were told or what they should do? Ninety percent (yes, 90%) of adult patients have difficulty following routine medical advice. Orca Health has a great infographic that shows how important communication is between a doctor and patient.

thumbs up My dad used to tell me that no matter how specialised or senior someone is they should always be able to explain their work to the cleaner (a version of a quotation from New Zealand physicist Ernest Rutherford). It always made good sense to me, and probably explains why I try hard to give my patients explanations in language that they can understand and to answer all their questions. Few people enjoy uncertainty, particularly when it comes to their health.

I encourage my patients to make lists before their consultation, so that we can go through them (lists of your medications, questions, problems - anything that you think is important and that you might forget to ask or tell). I've created this website as a resource so that you can read more about your condition and treatment before or after your surgical consultation. I hope it helps you find the answers to your questions - and if you still have questions after reading it, please make a list and make an appointment to discuss them with your GP or with me.

woman searching newspaper on phone If you read something on this website that you think is incorrect (or if you find a broken link, or an error) please let me know so I can correct it. And please also feel free to let me know your questions - while I can't answer individual patient enquiries via email I can develop new website content that may address your concerns.

Click here to email me.

Website Disclaimer

This website is written and updated by Dr Jillian Tomlinson MBBS(Hons), PG Dip Surg Anat, FRACS(Plast), a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon who practices in Victoria, Australia. This website aims to inform patients and health professionals about hand surgery, illness prevention and the practice and philosophy of Dr Jill Tomlinson. The information on this website is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own doctor. The information is not meant to replace the advice of your health professional. This website is funded by Dr Tomlinson; it does not host or receive funding from advertising or from the display of commercial content. To determine when each article was last reviewed please refer to the "last updated" stamp at the bottom of each article. Journal articles and other sources are referenced within each individual article where relevant.

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