Frequently Asked Questions

Your initial session will be 60 minutes. You will be asked a series of questions to gain a better understanding of your mental health. Sometimes it might not be possible to cover everything in one session, so subsequent sessions may be required before the assessment can be completed and a comprehensive management plan created with you. You do not have to talk about anything that is too difficult for you but the more you share, the more accurate the assessment will be. If you have any questions during the assessment, please ask. If you have booked a telehealth appointment please click on the VIDEO CONSULT LINK in pre-appointment reminder SMS/email to access the Halaxy telehealth platform.

If your referral was for ongoing treatment, once your assessment is complete, your doctor will request that you make another review appointment where you and your psychiatrist will discuss treatment in more detail and if medications are involved, you will receive your prescription in that review appointment.

If your referral was for a one-off 291 assessment, no further appointments will be made and the psychiatrist will write a report to your GP (usually within 2 weeks) and you will need to see your GP to start treatment. (See also below).

You are more than welcome to bring a support person to your consultations if you choose to do so, as the support of family and friends can have a positive effect on your engagement during the assessment, and therefore, outcome of the assessment. They can also be a source of collateral information that may aid the doctor’s understanding of your situation. However, please rest assured that your privacy and safety is paramount and information will only be shared with these individuals upon your expressed informed consent.

For ADHD/Autistic Spectrum Disorder assessment, it is essential that your doctor be able to interview them as part of the assessment process to gather deeper understanding and the chronology of your issues, particularly any information about your childhood that you might not recall, for example. Should this cause any concerns, or be impractical, you would be more than welcome to contact our reception team who could clarify with your doctor. We will endeavour to work out the most appropriate approach for you individually.

The length of your subsequent consultations may vary according to clinical appropriateness. These sessions may involve further assessment, explanation of treatment options and addressing your mental health problems. They also involve monitoring your mental health and response to treatment. If medications are involved, you can expect to be informed of why they are relevant, how to take the medications and any potential associated risks. We strongly suggest you ask as many questions as you like to ensure you have a proper understanding of your treatment plan.

Unfortunately, many patients simply do not turn up to their appointments which cause further delays in helping other patients and is unfair to the doctor’s time. The deposit amount will be used toward your final consultation fee. The deposit is refundable if you cancel or reschedule with more than 2 business days’ notice, otherwise late cancellation policy will apply.

If you are a new patient, we strongly recommend sending your referral to us for triage before booking your initial appointment. If you book an appointment and your referral is declined, we will refund your deposit (less processing fee) and advise your referring doctor.

Please note: processing fee is non-refundable.

Unfortunately we do not offer urgent appointments nor have the capacity to manage psychiatric crises and emergencies. If you require urgent help please try one of the following:

• Call 000 and ask for an ambulance
• Call Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Attend the Emergency Department at your local hospital

A 291 assessment means that your GP is referring you to see a psychiatrist for a “one-off assessment”. After the psychiatrist sees you, they will write a very detailed report and treatment plan that will be provided to you and your GP. It is then your GP’s responsibility to provide you with treatment and you will not be receiving any treatment/prescriptions from the psychiatrist.

Please note that you are only eligible for one 291 assessment every 12 months so if you have already had a 291 assessment with another psychiatrist in the last 12 months you will not receive the Medicare rebate.

A 293 review is when you have had a 291 assessment with one of the psychiatrists within the last 12 months and your GP feels it would be a good idea to have a review to provide further advice on your treatment. A new report will be written and forwarded to your GP with updated advice and you will continue to receive treatment with your GP.

No. All prescriptions must be requested during your consultation. If you run out of medications, you will be required to book a review in order to get them. Our doctors are frequently fully-booked at least 3 weeks in advance, so please ensure you organise your review BEFORE you run out of medications completely.