POLICIES

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Purpose
Paediatrics North is committed to providing high-quality, child-centred care. Our primary responsibility is to act in the best interests of the child while respecting the legal rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians. This policy outlines how we manage appointments, consent, communication, medical records, and treatment decisions when parents are separated, divorced, or involved in family law proceedings.

Guiding Principles

• The health, safety and wellbeing of the child are our primary considerations.
• Paediatrics North remains neutral in parental disputes and does not act on behalf of either parent.
• We expect parents to communicate respectfully with each other regarding their child's healthcare.
• Clinical care should not be disrupted by parental conflict.

Parental Responsibility
Under Australian family law, both parents generally retain parental responsibility for their child unless modified by a court order. Both parents may therefore be entitled to:

• Receive information regarding their child's healthcare.
• Access their child's medical records.
• Participate in significant healthcare decisions.
• Consent to treatment where legally permitted.

If there are parenting orders, court orders, injunctions, or other legal documents affecting parental responsibility or access to information, parents must provide Paediatrics North with a current copy of those documents as soon as possible. The practice will act in accordance with any valid court orders received.

Appointment Bookings
Either parent with parental responsibility may arrange an appointment for their child unless restricted by a court order.

The parent who completes the intake form will be recorded as the primary administrative contact. Our practice management system is configured to send appointment reminders, invoices, letters, and other routine correspondence directly to the primary administrative contact. As these communications are managed electronically, the practice does not undertake separate or duplicate distribution to the other parent.

The primary administrative contact is responsible for ensuring that the other parent is informed of appointments and relevant healthcare information unless a court order states otherwise.

Attendance at Appointments
Both parents are welcome to attend appointments where appropriate and safe to do so. Where joint attendance is not practical, separate parent consultations may be arranged.

Separate consultations:

• Are billed as standard consultations.
• Are intended to facilitate understanding of the child's healthcare needs.
• Do not replace communication responsibilities between parents.
• Will not attract a Medicare rebate if the child is not present.
  

Payment of Consultation Fees

The parent who attends the appointment with the child is responsible for payment of the consultation fee in full at the time of the appointment. Paediatrics North does not split consultation fees or issue separate invoices to parents.

Where a Medicare rebate is applicable, it will be paid to the parent who pays the consultation fee, subject to Medicare requirements. Any arrangement to share consultation costs between parents is a private matter and must be managed directly between them.

Consent for Treatment
Routine healthcare decisions may generally be consented to by either parent with parental responsibility.

For significant investigations, long-term treatment plans, medication commencement, or other major healthcare decisions, clinicians may request confirmation that both parents have been informed and, where appropriate, agree with the proposed management.

Where a clinician becomes aware of a significant disagreement between parents regarding treatment:

• Paediatrics North will not mediate family disputes.
• Parents will be encouraged to resolve disagreements independently, through mediation, legal advice, or the Family Court process where appropriate.
• Non-urgent treatment may be delayed if the disagreement prevents informed decision-making.
• Urgent or emergency treatment will proceed in accordance with the child's clinical needs and applicable law.
  

Medical Records and Information Sharing
Unless restricted by a court order or exceptional circumstances, both parents with parental responsibility may be entitled to access their child's medical information and records.

Before releasing records, Paediatrics North may:

• Verify identity.
• Request evidence of parental responsibility.
• Review any court orders or parenting orders.
• Consider whether disclosure may pose a serious risk to the child or another person.
  

Any request for copies of medical records should be made in writing. Applicable administrative charges may apply for record preparation and copying.

Older Children and Confidentiality
As children mature, they may gain legal rights to participate in decisions regarding their own healthcare and confidentiality. Clinicians will assess a child's capacity and maturity in accordance with Australian legal and ethical standards.

In some circumstances, confidential discussions may occur between the clinician and the patient. Information may be withheld from parents where legally permissible and clinically appropriate.

Family Law Proceedings
Paediatrics North clinicians are treating practitioners, not family law experts, mediators, or advocates for either parent.

Medical reports are prepared for clinical purposes. Requests for reports, subpoenas, attendance at court, or medico-legal opinions may attract additional fees and will be considered individually.

Unacceptable Behaviour
To ensure a safe environment for patients, families, and staff:

• Aggressive, threatening, abusive, or harassing behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Clinicians and administrative staff will not be drawn into parental disputes.
• Repeated attempts to involve staff in family law matters may result in restrictions on communication or discharge from the practice where clinically appropriate.
  

Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with Australian family law, privacy legislation, professional standards, and best clinical practice.