Our Services
The Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism has been providing a clinical service since 1977, in addition to undertaking both basic and clinical research. We provide a comprehensive range of ambulatory and in-patient clinical and laboratory services. These include General Endocrinology, Bone Disorders, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Rehabilitation, Menopause & Women's Health and Endocrine Nursing Services.
Bone Health Services - Overview
The Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism at Concord Hospital is well renowned in the management of bone and mineral disorders.
Clinical services
The Department supports an extensive clinical service for the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and therapy of skeletal and mineral related pathologies, including osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, primary hyperparathyroidism, renal stone disease, vitamin D deficiency and rare bone diseases (such as osteogenesis imperfecta).
Osteoporosis Assessment Clinic
In acknowledgment of the impact of osteoporosis on community health, the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism also provides an "Osteoporosis Assessment Clinic" on Monday mornings..
Minimal Trauma Fracture Clinic
The Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism has established a specialized Clinic to provide care for osteoporosis patients who sustain a minimal trauma fracture.
Day-Only Infusion Clinic
While most patients with skeletal diseases can be treated with oral medication (tablets), some patients do require intravenous infusions or subcutaneous injections. For these patients, the Department maintains a day-only Infusion Clinic.
Diabetes - Clinical Services
The Department provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment service for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes clinical services consist of
- Medical assessment and management
- Multidisciplinary Clinics with medical and nursing assessment together with dietetic and exercise physiology support
- Acute intervention and review clinics
- Type 1 Diabetes/ Young Adults' Clinic
- Diabetes education (inpatient and outpatient)
- Outpatient insulin stabilisation
- Insulin pump therapy
- Continuous blood glucose monitoring
- Erectile dysfunction clinic
- High Risk Foot Clinic (with the Department of Podiatry)
| Endocrinologist appointments: | Ph: 02 9767 6747 |
| Erectile Dysfunction Clinic appointments: | Ph: 02 9767 6747 |
| Diabetes Education appointments: | Ph: 02 9767 6594 |
| Dietary advice is provided by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics: | Ph: 02 9767 6328 |
| Podiatry services are provided by the Podiatry Department: | Ph: 02 9767 7395 |
Endocrine Meetings
The department's endocrine seminars and meetings occur twice weekly:
Tuesdays 1200 -1300 and Fridays 0830 - 0930.
Meetings are held in the seminar room at Level 7 of the Medical Centre, unless otherwise advised.
Radiology meetings are held in the department of radiology.
The Tuesday meeting is dedicated to comprehensive seminars in General Endocrinology. These seminars address various topics in diabetes, bone disorders, thyroid, lipid metabolism, obesity and pituitary-adrenal issues as well as endocrine cancer and less common endocrine topics.
Both the registrars and the resident medical officers are assigned to topics, each in conjunction with a supervising consultant. The consultant may periodically present a case illustrating the topic. An overview of each topic area, particularly relating to presentation, investigation and management of endocrine disorders is presented.
Consultants also present cases that either illustrate common endocrine conditions or are particularly challenging for further discussion within the unit. Registrars and consultants alike have found these case discussions to be an excellent opportunity to address and tackle the management and investigation of endocrine clinical problems.
On Friday mornings, the endocrinology meeting rotates between the following areas: endocrine radiology, case presentations by consultants with discussion by the unit, journal club, quality improvement meetings and endocrine unit meetings (for discussion of general issues within the department). There are also formal registrar and JMO teaching sessions co-ordinated by the consultants
Endocrine Nursing Services
A Monday to Friday outpatient nursing service is provided for General Endocrine & Metabolic Bone patients.
Treatment of Osteoporosis, Paget's and other metabolic bone conditions with are performed on a daily basis.
Dynamic testing
A hormone testing service allows investigation of possible hormonal excess or deficiency. Patients referred by their doctor will be contacted by the nursing staff for an appointment and given specific instructions. Most tests are completed within two hours.
Obesity/Metabolic Rehabilitation
Metabolic Rehabilitation Diabetes Program
What is the Metabolic Rehabilitation Diabetes Program?
The Metabolic Rehabilitation Program is a unique program, which aims at providing optimum treatment for people who have severe obesity (BMI > 40kg/m2) and diabetes mellitus (either Type 1 or 2).
The Program is comprised of a Tuesday morning clinic with a large team of health professionals (Endocrinologist, Nurse Practitioner in Diabetes Education, Dietician, Psychologist and Exercise Physiologist), and on site compulsory supervised exercise classes.
What is obesity?
Obesity is defined as the level of fatness that is associated with increased chance of dying or increased chance of developing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, etc. The most commonly used method for determining if someone has obesity is to calculate the so-called "body mass index" or "BMI". This is calculated by dividing body weight (in kilograms) by body height (in meters) squared (kg/m2).
What is Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by abnormal metabolism of fuels in our bodies, such as glucose and fat. The diagnosis is established when a patient either has an elevated fasting blood glucose level of more than 7.0 mmol/L, or more than 11.1 mmol/L two hours after drinking 75 grams of glucose.
Referral process
Referral to the clinic can only be made by a doctor. The patient must have a BMI greater than 40 kg/m2 and have diabetes mellitus. The patient needs to be able to attend exercise classes in the NSW Institute of Sports Medicine at least 3 times per week and commit to doing 30 minutes of another moderate activity on every other day.
All referrals are to be made out to Dr Nic Kormas, Dept. of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Concord Hospital.
Appointments can be made by calling 9767 6747.
Please use the official referral form which can be downloaded via or obtained by contacting 9767 6747.
Program goals
- Provide a comprehensive program, which allows patients to lose body weight and maintain weight loss so they can achieve the optimum goals with their diabetic management. In some cases, if enough weight loss occurs, patients' diabetes will go into hibernation ("remission") whilst in others it will be managed with a smaller amount of medication. Some patients may be able to discontinue insulin and once again be managed with tablets.
- Provide a comprehensive education program to both patient and family enhancing their understanding of their disease and its management.
- Provide an environment where patients are encouraged to participate in the management of their care by self-monitoring and management of risk factors.
- Develop a safe, regular and lifelong physical activity program.
The program
The program consists of both clinical consultations and supervised exercise classes. A team of health professionals including an endocrinologist, a diabetes educator, a dietitian, a psychologist and a physiotherapist provides consultations. An exercise specialist provides exercise sessions.
Exercise sessions |
Consultations |
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Monday |
7.00am to 8.00am |
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Tuesday |
7.00am to 8.00am |
Tuesday |
830am to 12pm |
Wednesday |
7.00am to 8.00am |
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Thursday |
7.00am to 8.00am |
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Friday |
7.00am to 8.00am |
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Saturday |
7.00am to 8.00am |
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Each patient attends a minimum of 3 sessions per week. |
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Location
The clinic is located at the 6th floor of the Concord Hospital Medical Centre (Dept. of Endocrinology and Metabolism). The exercise classes take place at the NSW Institute of Sports Medicine, opposite Concord Hospital on the west side of Hospital Road.
Contact
The program is under the direction of Dr Nic Kormas. Referrals can be made by contacting the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism Concord Hospital on 02 9767 6747.
Osteoporosis Assessment Clinic
In acknowledgment of the impact of osteoporosis on community health, the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism also provides an "Osteoporosis Assessment Clinic". Patients referred to this clinic will be seen first by a member of our nursing staff, a visit that is usually followed by an appointment with one of the bone specialists.
Women's Health
The Department of Endocrinology provides a comprehensive Women's Health Service. Our holistic approach emphasizes prevention, education and action. We encourage women to learn all they can about what contributes to their health and well-being so they can make informed choices. The two clinics are held on the 6th floor of the Medical Centre.
General Endocrine/Menopause Clinic
We provide:
- Consultation regarding all general endocrine disorders with particular emphasis in issues relating to menopause including hormone replacement, osteoporosis and cardiovascular health
- Bone Mineral Densitometry
- Advocacy and research on issues of concern to women's health
- Health education to community and professional groups
- Resources and information
- Training and experience for students
Clinics
| Specialist Endocrinology Clinic | |
| Prof. Markus Seibel Prof. Mark Cooper A/Prof. Roger Chen Dr Bronwyn Crawford Dr Katherine Benson Dr Shailja Tewari Dr Kirtan Ganda Dr Avinash Suryawanshi Advanced Trainees |
Monday pm and Thursday pm Wednesday am and Thursday am Tuesday pm and Friday am Tuesday pm Friday am Friday am Monday am Monday am, pm Wednesday am, Friday am Monday to Friday am and pm |
| Fracture Liaison Service | |
| Prof. Markus Seibel Advanced Trainees |
Thursday am Thursday am |
| Fracture Liaison Service - DVA | |
| Prof. Markus Seibel Advanced Trainees |
Monday pm, Thursday am and Thursday pm Monday pm, Thursday am and Thursday pm |
| Diabetes Clinic | |
| Dr Thomas Cromer Dr Avinash Suryawanshi Dr Soji Swaraj Advanced Trainees |
Friday am Friday am Friday am Friday am |
| Obesity and Metabolic Rehabilitation Clinic | |
| Dr Nic Kormas Registrars Sylvia Mallo (CNC Diabetes) Meredith Kearney (Psychologist) Perryn Carrole (Dietitian) |
Tuesday am Tuesday am Tuesday am Tuesday am Tuesday am |
| Women's Health | |
| Dr Kirsten Black (Menopause) Dr Anne Pike (Menopause and Gynaecologist) Klaus Sommer (Clinical Nurse Consultant) Moira Fraser (Clinical Nurse Specialist) |
Wednesday pm Wednesday pm Wednesday pm (implant) and Thursday pm Wednesday pm (implant) and Thursday pm |
| Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis | |
| A/Prof. Roger Chen Dr Avinash Suryawanshi |
Monday Monday |
| Osteoporosis Assessments | |
| Klaus Sommer (Clinical Nurse Consultant) | Monday am |
| Osteoporosis Assessments - DVA | |
| Klaus Sommer (Clinical Nurse Consultant) | Wednesday am |
