hon. If I lived closer I'd help you out in a flash. I hope this turns out to be the mildest outcome for you.

If you have the surgery in a public hospital, it will ALL be free. Some hospitals you have to pay to use the phone and/or TV. Your GP will refer you to the relevant department in the hospital (orthopedic) and you will go on a wait list to be seen in outpatients for a consult. After this, they will decide how badly you need the surgery and you will go on a waiting list. Your category (sense of urgency for the surgery) will depend on where in the list you are and therefor how quickly you go in. At least, that's how it works in Vic! But as a public patient in a public hospital, you won't pay anything.

I hope XH helps out with the kids on the day of the scan. or is there a friend who could help out? When you get there, just let them know you have to pick the kids up and see if they can't get you done quicker. We try to help out where we can. Have you called to see if they have any earlier appointments? Or ask to be called in earlier if they have a cancellation. Of course, if it's being done in a public hospital and there is an emergency, that could put your times out. There may be a fee for the scan even if it's in a public hospital. Do you have a Health Care Card? Just call and ask if they will bulk bill the scans.

HTH

MG