1. Our Services
Melbourne Psychiatry Clinic provides specialist mental health services, including psychiatric assessment and treatment, psychological assessment and therapy, ADHD and autism assessment and management, and telehealth services.
Care is provided by appropriately qualified and registered healthcare professionals in accordance with applicable professional standards and Australian law.
Our clinic is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance, please call 000 or attend your nearest hospital emergency department.
2. Referrals & Appointments
A valid referral may be required for psychiatric appointments and to access applicable Medicare rebates. Psychology referrals and Mental Health Treatment Plans may also be required where a patient wishes to access Medicare rebates.
Referrals are reviewed by our clinical triage team. Where a particular clinician is requested, we will endeavour to accommodate that preference; however, appointments depend on the patient’s clinical needs, the clinician’s areas of practice and current availability.
Submission of a referral or appointment request does not guarantee acceptance for treatment or an appointment with a particular clinician.
3. Appointments & Cancellations
We ask patients to provide adequate notice if they need to cancel or reschedule an appointment so that the appointment can be offered to another patient.
Late cancellations and missed appointments may incur a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees are not eligible for Medicare rebates.
Patients arriving late may have a shorter consultation so that subsequent appointments are not delayed. The full consultation fee may still apply.
Details of our current cancellation policy and applicable fees are provided at the time of booking and are available from our administration team.
4. Fees & Payment
Consultation fees vary depending on the clinician, service and duration of the appointment. Current fees and expected Medicare rebates, where applicable, will be communicated before your appointment.
Payment is required in accordance with the clinic’s payment policy. Patients are responsible for any outstanding fees associated with their care.
Fees may change from time to time. Where practicable, patients will be informed of relevant changes in advance.
5. Medicare & Private Health Insurance
Eligibility for Medicare or private health insurance rebates depends on the service provided, referral requirements and individual circumstances.
Patients are responsible for ensuring that their referral remains valid and for confirming their eligibility for Medicare or private health insurance benefits.
Any Medicare rebate information provided by the clinic is intended as a guide and is subject to Medicare requirements and changes.
6. Assessment & Treatment
Mental health assessment and treatment are individualised. An appointment or assessment does not guarantee a particular diagnosis, medication, prescription or treatment.
Additional appointments, collateral information, questionnaires, investigations or information from family members, GPs or other healthcare professionals may sometimes be required before an assessment can be completed or a treatment plan recommended.
Treatment recommendations are made according to the clinician’s professional judgement, available clinical information, current evidence and the individual patient’s circumstances.
7. ADHD & Autism Assessments
Assessment for ADHD or autism may involve clinical interviews, questionnaires, review of developmental or medical information and, where appropriate, information from family members or other people who know the patient well.
Completion of an assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis or prescription of medication.
Where medication is being considered, further assessment, investigations or follow-up appointments may be required to ensure treatment is clinically appropriate and safe.
8. Prescriptions & Medication
Medication is prescribed only when considered clinically appropriate by the treating medical practitioner.
Requests for prescriptions, medication changes or other clinical decisions may require an appointment. The clinic cannot guarantee that prescription requests made outside a scheduled consultation can be accommodated.
Patients should advise their treating clinician of all medications, allergies, relevant medical conditions and any significant changes in their health.
9. Privacy & Confidentiality
We respect your privacy and treat personal and health information confidentially.
Personal and health information is collected, used, stored and disclosed in accordance with applicable Australian and Victorian privacy and health-records legislation.
Information may be shared with other healthcare professionals involved in your care where appropriate and permitted by law. Information may also be disclosed where required or authorised by law or where necessary to address a serious threat to health or safety.
Further information about how we manage personal and health information is available in our Privacy Policy.
10. Clinical Records
Our clinicians maintain clinical records as required for the safe and appropriate provision of healthcare.
Patients may request access to their health information, subject to applicable legal requirements and permitted exceptions.
Requests relating to access to or correction of health information can be directed to the clinic.
11. Communication
Email, SMS, website forms and other electronic communications may be used for appointment reminders, referrals and administrative communication.
These communication channels are not monitored as emergency or crisis services and should not be used to seek urgent clinical assistance.
Clinical advice, medication changes and complex clinical matters may require an appointment with your treating clinician.
While we take reasonable measures to protect electronic communications, patients should be aware that electronic communication may carry privacy and security risks.
12. Telehealth
Telehealth appointments may be available where clinically appropriate.
Patients attending by telehealth should ensure they are in a private and appropriate environment and have a reliable internet connection and suitable device.
Your clinician may confirm your physical location and emergency contact details when clinically necessary. If telehealth is not considered clinically appropriate, an in-person consultation or alternative service may be recommended.
Telehealth consultations are generally subject to the same professional, privacy, fee and cancellation requirements as in-person consultations.
13. Collaborative Care
Where appropriate, and with your consent or as otherwise permitted by law, our clinicians may communicate with your GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
We encourage coordinated care and recognise that effective mental healthcare may involve collaboration between different healthcare professionals.
14. Practitioner Availability & Continuity of Care
Clinicians may occasionally take leave, change their availability or cease practising at the clinic.
Where this affects ongoing care, we will endeavour to provide reasonable notice and, where appropriate, discuss available options for continuity of care. We cannot guarantee the availability of a particular clinician.
15. Respectful & Safe Environment
Melbourne Psychiatry Clinic is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for patients, clinicians and staff.
Aggressive, threatening, abusive, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate behaviour towards staff, clinicians or other patients will not be accepted and may result in services being discontinued where clinically and legally appropriate.
16. Feedback & Complaints
We welcome feedback about your experience with our clinic.
If you have a concern or complaint, we encourage you to contact our practice management team so that we can review and respond to your concerns appropriately.
You also retain the right to raise concerns with relevant external healthcare, privacy or professional regulatory bodies.
17. Website Information
Information provided on our website is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not replace individual medical or psychological assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
Using our website, submitting an enquiry or submitting a referral does not establish a therapeutic relationship with a clinician.
18. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time to reflect changes to our services, policies or legal and regulatory requirements.
The current version will be available on our website.
19. Acceptance of Terms
By booking, attending or participating in services provided through Melbourne Psychiatry Clinic, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms & Conditions.
Your use of our services is also subject to our Privacy Policy and applicable clinic policies.