For Referring Doctors
Collaborative, accessible specialist surgical care
Dr Michael von Papen welcomes referrals from general practitioners and specialist colleagues for the assessment and management of colorectal and general surgical conditions. He provides timely consultation, evidence-based treatment, and clear communication to support shared care of your patients across both public and private hospital settings. Dr von Papen consults at Gold Coast Specialist Surgeons (Web: gcspecialistsurgeons.com.au), conveniently located on the ground floor of Gold Coast Private Hospital.
Scope of Practice
Comprehensive surgical care across the following areas
Colorectal Surgery
Bowel cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, rectal prolapse, diverticular disease
Pelvic Floor Surgery
Robotic ventral rectopexy and complex pelvic reconstruction
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Incisional, recurrent, and complex ventral hernias
Perianal Surgery
Haemorrhoids, fissures, abscesses, and fistulae
Diagnostic & Therapeutic Endoscopy
Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy and polypectomy
General Surgery
Appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, stoma reversal, and port insertion
Private Referrals
Referrals for private consultations can be addressed to:
Assoc. Prof. Michael von Papen
Gold Coast Specialist Surgeons
Suite 7, Ground Floor, Gold Coast Private Hospital
14 Hill Street, Southport QLD 4215
Phone: (07) 5563 1360 • Fax: (07) 5563 1380
Web: gcspecialistsurgeons.com.au
Electronic referrals accepted via HealthLink (EDI: gcsurgeon), Medical-Objects, Argus, and eFax.
All referrals are triaged promptly. Urgent or cancer-related cases are prioritised and can usually be seen within several business days.
Public Referrals
Public referrals should be directed to the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) Central Referral Hub — Colorectal Surgery.
Dr von Papen is an integral part of the GCUH colorectal team that manages inpatient and outpatient care across the Gold Coast Health region, providing advanced minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgery within the public system.
Referral Categories (Private Practice)
Triage guidance for private referrals
| Category | Typical Presentation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent | Suspected bowel cancer, rectal bleeding with anaemia, acute obstruction | Phone GCSS to expedite consultation |
| Semi-urgent | Symptomatic hernia, recurrent diverticulitis, perianal abscess/fistula | Seen within 2–3 weeks |
| Routine | Haemorrhoids, screening colonoscopy, elective review | Appointment within 4–6 weeks |
Collaborative Care
Dr von Papen values strong partnerships with referring clinicians and ensures:
- Timely correspondence — consultation and operative notes sent within 24–48 hours
- Direct communication — phone contact available for urgent advice
- Coordinated follow-up — post-operative updates and shared care for chronic conditions such as IBD
He is also available for informal case discussion and GP education sessions on colorectal disease, screening, and minimally invasive surgery.