Teamwork

I believe it is essential to work as a team with parents, carers, and others involved in working with a child. I rely on parents to give me information, but I also communicate with teachers and other professionals as needed (with parental consent).  I also do occasional visits to schools, preschools and homes.

I prefer to see children with parents or carers present because they are the most effective coaches for children.  Grandparents and friends are also welcome.

I believe that when parents or carers see what is happening in therapy they are best placed to understand and use strategies at home.

Appointment Cancellations

 Please advise me as soon as possible if you cannot attend an appointment. This allows me to offer your appointment to someone else.  The best way to cancel or change an appointment is to phone me on 6299 1218 and to leave a message if I am not available to take the call.

Appointments that are 3-4 days or more in the future can also be cancelled by email. Due to the difficulty of filling last-minute cancellations, I request at least 24 hours’ notice. Appointments which are cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be charged a $50 fee, except in emergencies and cases of unexpected illness.

It is the policy of NDIS to pay for \ appointments when clients miss appointments or cancel at short notice.

I prefer any substitute appointments to be arranged by phone, as there is often too much time between emails for me to keep offered appointments open.

If financial difficulties are contributing to decisions to cancel appointments it is important to speak to me about it. I may be able to suggest some Medicare referrals which GPs can make which entitle clients to a partial Medicare rebate, or make other suggestions.

Information about Collection of Information and Privacy

1. Information about you and your child is collected to facilitate

• Administration of the practice (billing, providing reports etc)
• The best possible treatment that I can deliver for your child
• Disclosure/sharing of information with your child’s doctor and other teaching and health professionals permitted by you to further enhance management of your child’s condition.
• Sending of reports to doctors who have referred your child to me. When children are referred under a Medicare plans it is mandated that an initial report is sent to them as well as a follow-up report when treatment under the plan has been completed.

1. Parents may choose to withhold information, or to attend and have their child attend therapy anonymously or with pseudonyms, with the understanding that this may well compromise the quality of the service provided.
2. Your personal information is not disclosed to overseas persons or agencies.
3. It is standard practice for copies of reports, reviews, letters to doctors and teachers and discharge summaries to be sent to parents.
4. Client files are stored in lockable filing cabinets in premises that are locked.
5. Copies of the practice privacy and complaints policies are available on request, along with information about how to make complaints.