We are open, but it is NOT business as usual

All of us at Caulfield Natural Health Clinic are committed to excellence in patient care.

The information about how we practice is under constant review. We are trying very hard to ensure that we pass on the most up-to-date information.

Although we are permitted to remain open as an essential service, this is not business as usual. Stage 4 restrictions are aligned to Victoria’s current State of Disaster and are focused on saving and protecting lives of all Victorians through restricting non-essential movement across the state for the next 6 weeks.

Our fabulous reception staff, Linda and Amanda, will be in the clinic 9am-6pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-2pm Friday. They are available to take your calls and put you in touch with your practitioners.

Key Points

1. No referral required (you do not need a GP letter or referral to see us)

2. Routine care is not permitted

Routine Care is not Permitted

Under Stage 4 restrictions, face to face care must only be provided if the absence of, or delay of this care would result in

· Significant change or deterioration in the patient’s functional independence necessitating escalation of care.

Examples provided by the DHHS of when it is appropriate for care to be provided to a patient include the following:

1. To avoid a requirement for specialist input or review

2. To avoid an increase in care needs and/or alternate accommodation

3. To avoid a hospital admission or emergency department presentation

For this reason, face to face care should only be provided if it is considered ‘essential’ for the next 6 weeks and where not receiving care is likely to lead to a significant deterioration in the health or wellbeing of the patient.

In all other circumstances, we are not able to have face-to-face consultations. This is a legal requirement. There is no restriction on telehealth consultations, and we are urging patients to make use of telehealth where possible or delay their face to face appointments until stage 4 restrictions have been eased.

When you call the clinic to ask for an appointment, you will be screened by the reception staff to determine the urgency of your needs. If you feel your situation is urgent, you will be contacted by your practitioner for further screening, prior to your appointment being confirmed.

If you present to the clinic and your practitioner deems that your situation is not urgent, we will reschedule your appointment for after Stage 4 (2nd week September) and unfortunately, our legal obligation is to not provide treatment.

If you already have an appointment booked in the coming days, you will be contacted by your practitioner to determine whether it is still necessary to come in to the clinic.

Services that can conduct face to face appointments if deemed essential: Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine

Telehealth options are available for: Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy

Remedial Massage services have been put on hold until the end of stage 4 restrictions.

All our practitioners are available to you via the telephone, email, or video conference. Please do not hesitate to get in touch. We want to support you during these unprecedented times, even if it temporarily must be at a distance.

Thank you for your understanding

Yours in good health,

The Caulfield Natural Health Clinic Team