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Coming for surgery at Peter Mac

If you are coming for surgery or any procedure that requires a general anaesthetic you will need to undergo a COVID-19 test before the surgery/procedure

You will need to have either a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) or a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test when coming for surgery at Peter Mac.

Choose your test 

Decide on what kind of test you wish to undertake at least four days before your surgery.

Test types can be either: 

Get tested 

Your choice of test type will determine the timing of your test.  

PR Test 

At least three days before your surgery: do a PCR test.

You will then receive a text message from your testing site with your results – keep this.

We will need to see this text message on the day of your surgery.

RAT Test 

Two days or fewer before your surgery: do a RAT test.

Please take a photo of your RAT test with your phone. This will also show us the date the test was taken.

We will need to see this photo on the day of your surgery.

If your test results are positive 

Contact your Surgical Liaison Nurse by phone – do not come to our building.  

We may need to change plans for surgery to support your recovery from the virus. 

If your test result is negative 

Ideally, isolate within your home until your day of admission.

However, if you do need to go out, please wear a mask and stay away from crowds and groups of people.

Please contact your Surgical Liaison Nurse if any of the following apply to you prior to your surgery:

  • You develop any clinical compatible symptoms with COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste

If you have been COVID-19 positive (prior to taking this test), contact your Surgical Liaison Nurse. They will be able to determine what testing and/or isolation requirements apply to you.

The day of your surgery 

Please ensure you have proof of your result with you on the day of surgery.

We may also ask you to take another COVID-19 test on the day of surgery.

You will need to pass through COVID-19 screening checks on entry to the VCCC (Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre) building that include:

  • COVID-19 health questions  
  • Temperature checks 

As part of the pre-operative checks, we will:

  • Screen you again with the COVID-19 questions  
  • Ask you to provide proof of your negative COVID-19 result

Contact us about coming for surgery at Peter Mac

If you need to speak to someone about your admission or the COVID-19 testing requirements, contact the Theatre Bookings Team between 8:30am and 4:30pm on (03) 8559 5650, who can direct your enquiry.

More information about coming for surgery at Peter Mac

Please see our Coronavirus information page for more information relating to COVID-19, including:

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