Your Anaesthetic

Before your procedure

Once you have completed your pre-anaesthetic questionnaire, I will review your medical history, medications and any previous experiences with anaesthesia. Where necessary, I may obtain further information, such as specialist letters, blood tests or other investigations, to help plan your care.

I will then formulate an anaesthetic plan tailored to you and your procedure. I may contact you before the day of your procedure if I would like to discuss anything further or arrange additional assessment.

On the day

I will meet you before your procedure, usually in the admission area, on the ward or in the anaesthetic bay. We will go through your medical history and anaesthetic plan, and there will be an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Together, we will confirm the most appropriate anaesthetic for you and your procedure before proceeding. This may include general anaesthesia, sedation, regional anaesthesia or a combination of these, depending on your procedure and individual circumstances.

During your procedure

I will remain responsible for your anaesthetic care throughout your procedure, continuously monitoring you and managing your comfort and safety. I will carefully manage your anaesthetic, breathing, circulation, fluids and pain relief, adapting your care throughout the procedure as needed.

For more complex procedures, this may also involve additional monitoring or other specialist techniques, which I will discuss with you beforehand where appropriate.

After your procedure

After your procedure, you will usually be cared for in the recovery area or, following some major procedures, in the intensive care unit. I will provide a detailed handover to the team looking after you, including relevant information about your medical history, anaesthetic and procedure, and ensure an appropriate plan is in place for pain relief, nausea and your ongoing care.

About

I am a Specialist Anaesthetist providing personalised anaesthetic care across a broad range of surgical and medical procedures.

I completed my specialist anaesthesia training in Australia across major tertiary teaching hospitals, gaining extensive experience caring for patients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures.

I subsequently undertook two years of advanced fellowship training in major surgery and cardiothoracic anaesthesia, developing particular expertise in perioperative medicine, advanced haemodynamic management and the care of patients undergoing complex and high-risk procedures.

I understand that undergoing a procedure can feel uncertain or stressful. My approach is to provide calm, individualised care, with an emphasis on clear communication, careful planning and making your experience as comfortable as possible. I work closely with your surgeon and the wider healthcare team to ensure your care is well coordinated throughout.

Clinical interests & expertise

✔ Major & Complex Surgery

✔ Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia

✔ Interventional Cardiology & Electrophysiology

✔ Obstetric & Gynaecological Anaesthesia

✔ Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Management

✔ Perioperative Medicine

Pre-Anaesthetic Questionnaire

Please complete this questionnaire at least 48 hours before your procedure. It takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete. All information is handled confidentially and used solely for your perioperative care.

Fees & Billing

Anaesthetic fees vary depending on the type and complexity of your procedure, its duration, and your individual medical circumstances.

Where possible, you will be provided with a written estimate of your anaesthetic fee and any anticipated out-of-pocket cost before your procedure.

How are fees calculated?

Anaesthetic fees are individualised and reflect the care required for your particular procedure. They are calculated according to factors including:

• the type and complexity of your procedure

• the duration of your procedure

• your individual medical circumstances

• the anaesthetic techniques, monitoring and other services required

For longer or more complex procedures, or where more extensive anaesthetic care or monitoring is required, the anaesthetic fee and associated out-of-pocket cost may be higher

Medicare & Private Health Insurance

For eligible privately insured patients, Medicare and your private health insurer may contribute towards the cost of your anaesthetic.

The amount covered varies depending on your procedure, health fund and level of cover. There may therefore be a difference between the anaesthetic fee and the rebates provided by Medicare and your health fund. This is your out-of-pocket cost, sometimes referred to as the gap.

Where possible, any anticipated out-of-pocket cost will be included in the fee estimate provided before your procedure.

Payment & Billing

My accounts are managed by Probills, a specialist medical billing service. They may contact you before your procedure regarding your fee estimate, payment or other billing information.

Payment may be required before or on the day of your procedure. Payment can be made by electronic transfer or major credit card.

If the nature or duration of your procedure changes unexpectedly, the final anaesthetic fee may differ from the estimate provided.

For questions about your anaesthetic account, fee estimate or payment, please contact Probills:

• Phone: 0262868687

• Email: probills@probills.com.au

Contact

If you have a question about your upcoming procedure or anaesthetic care, please feel free to get in touch.

• Email: admin@drcharliecartwright.com

For questions regarding fees, accounts or payments, please contact Probills using the details above.

* Please do not use this form for urgent medical concerns. Please avoid including unnecessary sensitive medical information. Information required for your anaesthetic assessment should be provided through the pre-anaesthetic questionnaire.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I stop eating and drinking before my procedure?

Unless you have been given different instructions, as a general rule:

• Solid food and non-clear liquids: stop at least 6 hours before your anaesthetic.

• Clear fluids: may usually be consumed until 2 hours before your anaesthetic.

Clear fluids include water, clear apple juice, clear cordial, and black tea or coffee without milk. Milk, milky drinks and juices containing pulp are not clear fluids.

Important: Different fasting instructions may apply if you take weight-loss or diabetes medications that slow stomach emptying (such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro), or if you have gastroparesis or another condition that delays stomach emptying. Please make sure you tell me about this in your pre-anaesthetic questionnaire and see the specific advice below.

2. I take weight loss medications (e.g. Ozempic, Mounjaro or another GLP-1 medication) or have gastroparesis — what should I do?

Medications such as Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Saxenda/Victoza (liraglutide) can delay stomach emptying and require additional preparation before anaesthesia or sedation.

Current Australian guidance recommends a clear-fluid-only diet for the 24 hours before your procedure, followed by no fluids for 2 hours prior to your anaesthetic.

Please make sure you include these medications in your pre-anaesthetic questionnaire. Do not stop them simply because you are having an anaesthetic unless you have specifically been advised to do so.

3. Should I take my usual medications?

Most medications can be continued as usual, but some may need to be adjusted or temporarily stopped before your procedure. These can include blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications), diabetes medications and some blood pressure medications.

Please provide an up-to-date list of your medications in your pre-anaesthetic questionnaire, including any injections or medications taken weekly or less frequently. I will contact you if any changes are required.

4. What type of anaesthetic will I have?

The most appropriate anaesthetic depends on your procedure, medical history and individual circumstances. This may include general anaesthesia, sedation, regional anaesthesia or a combination of techniques.

I will discuss the options with you and agree on an appropriate anaesthetic plan before your procedure.

5. What if I have had problems with an anaesthetic before?

Please tell me about any previous problems or concerns in your pre-anaesthetic questionnaire. This includes significant nausea or vomiting, difficult airway management, allergies or unexpected reactions, or any other complications.

Where appropriate, I can review previous anaesthetic records and take this information into account when planning your care.

6. What if I become unwell before my procedure?

If you develop a significant illness before your procedure — particularly a fever, respiratory infection, or a significant change in an existing medical condition — please let your surgeon or hospital know.

You can also contact me if you are concerned about how a change in your health may affect your anaesthetic.

7. When can I drive or return to normal activities?

This depends on your procedure and the anaesthetic you receive. Following sedation or general anaesthesia, you will need someone to take you home and should not drive, operate machinery or make important decisions for the period advised by your treating team.

You will be given specific instructions appropriate to your procedure before discharge.