Patient policy

1. Your rights as a patient

You have the rights established by the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, including:

• The right to safe and high-quality care;
• To be treated with respect, dignity and consideration;
• To be informed about services, treatment options and costs in a clear and open way;
• To be included in decisions and choices about your care;
• To privacy and confidentiality of your personal information;
• To comment on your care and have your concerns addressed.

2. Confidentiality

What you share with Dr Kanodia is kept confidential and will not be disclosed to other people or agencies without your written permission — except where required by state or federal law, by court order, or where there is a concern for your safety or the safety of others.

3. Professional records

Dr Kanodia keeps appropriate records of the medical services provided. Records are stored securely on password-protected systems and are only accessed by staff who have signed confidentiality agreements.

4. Transfer of medical records

If you wish to have your records transferred to yourself or another practice, you must complete and sign a records transfer consent form. An administration fee may apply and is payable before records are released. All requests are subject to review in line with applicable privacy and health-records requirements.

5. Emergencies

This practice does not provide emergency or after-hours crisis support. If you have an urgent concern, reception will try to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. In an emergency, call 000, or contact the Queensland 24-hour mental health access line 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255). See the Emergencies page for more support options.

6. Ages seen

Dr Kanodia typically sees patients aged 18–65 years, with a special interest in women’s mental health across life stages.

7. Appointments

A new patient appointment is longer, allowing time for a full assessment and completion of relevant paperwork such as scripts, letters to GPs, referrals and certificates. Follow-up appointments are shorter reviews. If you would like a longer review, please let reception know when booking, as a higher fee applies. If a consultation runs over the booked time, the additional time may be charged.

8. Referrals

A current referral is required to claim a Medicare rebate. Referrals from a general practitioner are generally valid for 12 months from the first appointment they are used. It is the patient’s responsibility to keep track of referral validity; reception is happy to help you check.

9. Inpatient & Day Therapy

Dr Kanodia provides inpatient admissions to Belmont Private Hospital and supports attendance at Day Therapy programs where clinically appropriate. Admissions and program attendance are arranged in discussion with you and your treating team.

10. Booking & confirmation

Appointments are booked by phone or email. A deposit may be required for initial bookings and is applied to the cost of your consultation. You are responsible for keeping track of your appointments. Courtesy reminders may be sent, but if you do not confirm and have not cancelled, you remain responsible for attending.

11. Cancellations & non-attendance

Please provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellation or non-attendance may incur a fee equivalent to the consultation cost. Cancellation fees are not claimable through Medicare and must be settled before rebooking. Fees may be waived at Dr Kanodia’s discretion in genuine emergencies.

12. Payment

Fees are payable in full on the day of your appointment. For telehealth consultations, prepayment may be required. Where you have a current referral and Medicare card, reception can submit your claim so the rebate is returned to your nominated account.

13. Scripts, letters & certificates

Appointments are strictly required for all prescriptions, letters, medical certificates and medication adjustments. Dr Kanodia is unable to complete these outside of a consultation. Please mention any script repeats you need during your appointment.

14. Communication

Reception phone lines and email are monitored during administrative hours (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm). Please allow several business days for a response to non-urgent emails. Email is not used for medical advice or urgent matters — please book an appointment for clinical concerns.

15. Frequency of appointments & discharge

Dr Kanodia reviews patients as often as is clinically appropriate; new patients and those needing more support are reviewed more frequently. Please notify the practice in advance if you intend to discontinue care, so a discharge summary can be provided to your GP to support ongoing management.