HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
In order to make an appointment with Dr Chau, your GP or club doctor will need to forward a written referral. After receiving the referral, the reception team will contact you to arrange an appointment. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST CONSULTATION
Your initial session with Dr Chau will be an hour long and we highly recommend you arrive 10 minutes early to complete the patient registration form. Dr Chau will ask you a series of questions to gain a better understanding of your mental health including your symptoms, current and past treatment, your medical history and any current medications, your family history as well as your developmental experiences. 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 can be 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 let Dr Chau know as he is more than happy to address any concerns you have.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY INITIAL CONSULTATION
At the time of making your first assessment appointment, we will email you an information pack which will contain a questionnaire. We highly encourage you to complete this questionnaire and bring it to your first appointment as it will greatly assist with your initial assessment. Please feel free to bring any other reports or documents you think may be relevant.
WHO SHOULD I BRING TO MY CONSULTATION
Generally speaking, initial assessments are quite in-depth and personal so the first meeting is usually one-on-one with Dr Chau but you are more than welcome to bring a support person to your consultations as Dr Chau understands that the support of family and friends can have a great effect on your recovery. However, please rest reassured that your privacy and safety is paramount and information will only be shared with these individuals upon your expressed informed consent.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM SUBSEQUENT CONSULTATIONS
The length of your subsequent consultations will be shorter than your initial assessment and they 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. Dr Chau strongly suggests you ask as many questions as you like to ensure you have a proper understanding of your treatment plan.
WHAT ARE THE CONSULTATION FEES
Dr Chau sincerely believes in having a transparent and trusting therapeutic relationship so all patients will be advised of the fee prior to the confirmation of their appointment. Consultation fees vary according to the type and length of consultation sessions. Private health insurance does not apply to doctors’ fees outside of hospital but Medicare will reimburse a portion back to you. Please do not hesitate to contact the reception team for more information about consultation fees.
Please note that consultation fees need to be paid at the completion of the session and unfortunately, due to the frequency of non-attendances, cancellations of appointments without 48 hours’ prior notice will lead to a cancellation fee as other patients cannot access these reserved appointments.
WHAT DO I DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Unfortunately, as we are a private practice we do not have the capacity to manage psychiatric crises and emergencies. If you require urgent help please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 , attend your local hospital or call 000 and ask for an ambulance.