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See and Treat Service

Dr Jill Tomlinson offers a convenient See & Treat Service to streamline your care and to facilitate your procedure occurring on the first time you attend our rooms. This approach reflects Dr Tomlinson’s commitment to efficient, patient-centred care tailored to your needs and schedule.

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What is the See and Treat Service?

This Service allows you to start the process of skin lesion assessment and removal with minimal delay and no initial financial cost. Instead of requiring a face to face consultation before surgery without an idea of the possible cost of the procedure, this service combines assessment and treatment in a coordinated way. 

It’s especially suitable for patients who have a readily visible skin lesion that is clearly suitable for surgical removal based on the information provided. It also allows you to obtain a fee estimate for your procedure without first having to pay for or attend an appointment. Common procedures offered through this outpatient service include the removal of moles, ear gauge repair, split ear lobe repair and removal of pyogenic granulomas and other benign skin lesions under local anaesthetic.

How It Works

  1. Submission of Information – You complete the online application providing us with your doctor’s referral and clear photographs of the area you’re concerned about, plus a brief description of what you’d like treated.
  2. Pre-Procedure Assessment – Dr Tomlinson reviews your submission to provide a personalised estimate of the anticipated procedure length and cost, along with the relevant Medicare item code(s) and rebate amounts.
  3. Telehealth Video Consultation – A telehealth appointment is arranged prior to the procedure via our Virtual Clinic. This allows Dr Tomlinson to discuss the plan, answer your questions, and confirm that the lesion is appropriate for treatment under the See & Treat model. It ensures that you are aware of the follow up requirements, such as attending for stitch removal if this is required. 
  4. Face-to-Face Treatment – Your procedure is performed in person at our Richmond rooms under local anaesthetic by Dr Tomlinson with the support of a registered nurse.
  5. Follow-Up Appointment – A follow-up visit is scheduled to review healing, remove any stitches if required, and talk through your progress and any pathology results.

What to Expect

  • Local Anaesthetic Only – You will not receive general anaesthesia or sedation; all See & Treat procedures are performed under local anaesthetic as an outpatient procedure in our Richmond clinic.
  • Pathology Testing – Tissue removed during your procedure is sent for histopathology so that a definitive diagnosis can be made and your GP informed of the findings.
  • Recovery & Care – Dr Tomlinson and her team will discuss wound care and expectations for recovery, including advice on avoiding strenuous activity in the first 48 hours.
  • Medicare rebates, but no private health insurance rebates – outpatient procedures are eligible for Medicare rebates, but are not eligible for private health insurance rebates. 

Eligibility

This service is not available for hospital-based (day surgery or inpatient hospital) procedures. Also, while many individuals are suitable candidates for the See & Treat Service, some benefit from a dedicated face-to-face consultation before treatment. This may occur if:

  • The photographs provided are not clear enough to make a confident assessment or treatment plan,
  • The lesion appears complex, atypical, or potentially requires more extensive management, or
  • The request is unclear or ambiguous, or
  • The patient is under the age of 18, or
  • Dr Tomlinson believes that a detailed discussion about options and outcomes would support the best decision for you.


In such situations, Dr Tomlinson will arrange a standard consultation to ensure that your treatment plan is safe and tailored to your needs. This commonly includes all subcutaneous (“under the skin”) lumps, as these cannot be assessed adequately by photograph alone. In these circumstances we are unable to provide a fee estimate for the procedure. 

Making the Most of the See and Treat Service

For the best possible outcome:

  • Provide clear, well-lit photographs (with an object for scale such as a ruler – Medicare rebates for skin lesions vary according to the size of the lesion),
  • Include all requested information including your GP’s referral, and
  • Book a face to face consultation if you’d prefer an in-person assessment and discussion prior to treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of lesions are suitable for See & Treat?

The service is suitable for many common skin lesions and scars that can be safely operated on under local anaesthetic. These may include benign moles, ear gauge repair, split ear lobes and other small lumps.

Not all skin procedures or individuals are suitable for the See and Treat service. If there is any uncertainty about the diagnosis, complexity of removal, or best technique, Dr Tomlinson may recommend a face to face consultation first.

  • If you wish to claim a Medicare rebate, a valid GP referral is required.
  • If you are proceeding without a referral, you may still book treatment, but Medicare rebates will not apply.
  • Applications submitted without a valid GP referral are more likely to be assessed as requiring a face to face appointment prior to scheduling a rooms procedure. 

Yes. Any tissue removed by excision is routinely sent for histopathology. This confirms the diagnosis and ensures appropriate follow-up.

Yes. All See & Treat procedures are performed under local anaesthetic in the rooms. You will be fully awake, but the area being treated will be numb.

Sedation and general anaesthetic are not offered as an outpatient service.

If you would prefer a face to face discussion, please schedule a standard consultation instead of See & Treat.

In some cases, even after reviewing your application, Dr Tomlinson may recommend a face-to-face consultation rather than proceeding with the See and Treat pathway. This ensures that the treatment plan is safe, appropriate and aligned with your expectations.

Any procedure that involves cutting through the dermis will result in a scar. The size and appearance of the scar depend on:

  • The size and location of the lesion and incision
  • The technique used
  • Your individual healing characteristics


As a plastic surgeon, Dr Tomlinson carefully plans incision placement and closure technique to optimise cosmetic outcome. However, a scar is an inevitable trade-off when excision is required.

The aim of See & Treat is to combine assessment and treatment efficiently. The intake process is rigorous to minimise the possibility that you may be insufficiently prepared for your procedure or that the planned procedure is not suitable for your condition. 

However, treatment may be postponed or cancelled if:

  • More detailed discussion about risks and concerns is required on the day (you are having second thoughts)
  • You are not present at the scheduled time of your procedure
  • You have a needle phobia and feel unable to proceed under local anaesthetic on the day
  • The procedure is more complex than anticipated or initially requested
  • A different treatment approach is recommended

Patient safety and optimal outcome always take priority over speed.

Most procedures involve:

  • A small dressing
  • Mild discomfort for a few days
  • Temporary activity modification
  • You will receive clear written wound care instructions and a follow-up appointment if required (for example, for suture removal).


The recovery process and necessary aftercare is discussed with you by Dr Tomlinson in the telehealth consultation that occurs before your procedure. This ensures that there are no surprises when it comes to the need to have stitches removed, or other limitations. We recommend that you be upfront about any travel or relevant activities that you have planned around the time that you are scheduling your procedure.

Many facial lesions are suitable, but careful assessment is particularly important due to cosmetic considerations. In some cases, a consultation is recommended first to discuss scar placement, technique and expectations in more detail. Dr Tomlinson will recommend an initial face to face consultation if she feels that cryotherapy or shave excision treatment may well be a better option for you than surgical excision.