A summary of
our policies & requirements
and your responsibilities:
Paediatric health care is important to families, and its provision in private practice is complex, highly regulated, and involves substantial practice costs. Substantial fees are necessary for the sustainability of services.
A set of policies and procedures helps support and structure your provider’s practice so that services are provided efficiently, consistently, sustainably, and affordably with the highest possible quality of paediatric care.
Informed consent to care and the costs of care require that families understand these policies.
these policies explain and advise the terms and conditions upon which your provider offers their services and Your consent and agreement is needed for
acceptance and holding of an appointment for your child;
requesting the commencement or continuation of a healthcare relationship with the associated provider and provision of their healthcare services to your child;
liaising with the Prosper Paediatrics staff as they provide administrative and reception services on behalf of the associated provider.
We are legally required to advise these terms and conditions of care and to obtain your written consent.
Please complete a Consent to Policies FORM before the start of each new referral or yearly if your child has an indefinite or 3-month referral.
These policies, with detailed explanations, are published in this website menu "For Patients & Families”. They are also explained, summarised, referenced or linked in the Booking Emails and other written communications sent to families. They may be amended from time to time to adapt to changing circumstances or to improve them.
The policies are briefly summarised here:
Privacy.
How your child’s healthcare information is collected, administered, used, held and shared to protect your child’s and your privacy under Australian Privacy Law and medical ethics.
Bookings, Fees & Cancellations, when Fee payment is due, policies and fees for late payment.
Your provider does not bulk bill. Fees are advised in advance. Fees may later change to accommodate increased practice costs. Fees are invoiced at the discretion of the provider. Temporary concessions are only available in very limited circumstances for long-established patients. Fees are charged for services, including for scripts and forms outside of appointments and appointments that are cancelled with less than 18 business hours’ notice or not attended without notice.
Your responsibility for the provision of a current & valid referral To allow the claiming of advised rebates.
Medicare rules are strict. We provide information about your child’s referral status in Booking Emails so that you can check if a new referral is needed. Invoices will be payable, but the services will not be billed using Medicare items that require a referral if you have not provided one in time.
Respect & Trust
We understand that families can be frustrated and distressed or may misunderstand situations or policies. We work conscientiously, efficiently and consistently to provide the best care possible. We are humans and have a right to a safe workplace free from aggression, accusations, deliberate rudeness, argumentativeness, or harassment. All policies are carefully advised in advance and should be followed.
Joint Parental Responsibilities & INVOLVEMENT.
Even when separated or divorced, parents have joint responsibility for healthcare involvement, decision-making, and accounts and can access their child’s record until they are 16. In rare cases, this may be limited by Court Order. Any current Court Orders about parenting should be provided. Contact details for both parents are required in most circumstances.
Patients aged 16 to 18 years of age
For patients aged 16 years or older, parents may continue to provide assistance and support where their child permits. Mature patients should clearly indicate their consent for this by their actions, verbally or in writing. Mature patients aged 16 to 18 years should provide personal contact details and the contact details of a parent who can be their account holder and accept responsibility regarding fees. Generally, information will not be provided to a parent without the patient being present unless clear written consent has been provided in advance and the patient is under 18 years of age.
Consultation is to be conducted in booked and billed appointments.
Consultation over the phone or by email is not offered except where a provider judges this is appropriate. This will generally only be for simple matters related to a recent consultation. Staff are not permitted to provide or advise results.
Your child must attend their appointment.
Medicare rules are strict. Rebates can not be claimed unless the patient has attended their appointment sufficiently to meet Medicare requirements.
further requirements for attending appointments
Children must be supervised and their behaviour managed to avoid difficulties, unsafe situations, disruption, soiling or damage.
families should not bring Food, including any snacks or drinks other than water, into the practice when attending appointments
Babies’ needs for formula or breastmilk are the exception.
email is our primary method of communication for
providing information & resolving questions or requests
booking details, or
accounts.
We use email as a primary means of communicating with you and require that you read, check and save our emails, especially our Booking Emails. Your booking is a serious commitment and responsibility.
Our phones are often busy, but leaving a voice mail or sending an email can allow us to quickly respond.
Written information allows us to provide services consistently, accurately, efficiently and cost-effectively. Parents with ESL often find that written information is easier to manage or can be understood with the assistance of a translator.
Templates are used to help us provide consistent and accurate information cost-effectively.
SMS
We use SMS to alert you to important emails, provide reminders, or alert you to our need to speak with you about important matters such as your appointment, an outstanding document or account matters.