FAQ
Please click on the links below to see the answers to our commonly asked questions.
How do I book an appointment?
Consultations are by appointment only and can only be scheduled once we have received a GP or specialist referral. Once this has been sent through to reception@caringforkids.com.au, please call to book in your appointment with one of our reception team on (03) 9125 0330.
Please allow 24hrs prior to contacting our team to ensure your referral has been received.
What do I bring to my first appointment?
- Your referral from a GP or other doctor if one hasn’t been uploaded or sent through to us already. Your referral should be addressed to Caring for Kids (and relevant clinician).
- Your completed patient registration form, which you should have received before the appointment (if not already supplied). Otherwise, please arrive 10-15 minutes early to complete it before your appointment time.
- Medicare card.
- Private health fund details if applicable (for allied health only).
The following may also be helpful, if applicable:
- Investigations including blood tests, X-ray or imaging reports.
- Previous assessments, reports and letters from other health care professionals.
- Teachers’ reports.
- Hospital Discharge Summaries if relevant to the appointment.
- Your child’s health care record (green or blue book).
What is a referral?
A written referral is required for an appointment with a doctor or allied health care professional. This is required to claim any potential Medicare rebates for your child’s appointment. As a general rule, referrals from a GP to a specialist or allied health professional are valid for 12 months. Referrals from another specialist are usually only valid for 3 months unless otherwise specified.
Referrals to a Psychologist are known as Mental Health Care Plans (and can be accessed through your GP or Paediatrician). These provide access to 6 sessions (with a further 4 with an additional referral) each calendar year.
If you have a Paediatrician involved in your child’s care, a referral to a Speech Therapist or Occupational Therapist can be accessed from your GP to access 5 sessions across the calendar year. This is known as an Enhanced Primary Care Plan or GP Management Plan.
What are your fees and how do I arrange payment?
All our practitioners set their own fees individually, please contact our reception team for further information. Our fees are reviewed every 6-12 months.
For doctors and allied health clinicians, there will usually be a Medicare rebate available, which can be claimed back immediately on the day. There will also be a ‘gap fee’ in addition to this rebate which will vary depending on the clinician you are seeing and nature / time allocation of the appointment.
Caring for Kids is a private clinic and we require full payment of your account on the day of consultation. We accept most major credit cards, EFTPOS or cash payments. There is a transaction fee for card payments.
Please speak to us before the appointment if you have any queries or concerns.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Our clinic requires at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to change or cancel your appointment as this allows us to offer it to other patients.
Missed appointments, or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be subject to a cancellation fee.
Can I claim the appointment fees through my private health insurance provider?
In general, private health insurance provider does not cover out-patient medical appointment fees. Please contact your health fund to determine what you are covered for under your policy. ‘Extras’ may cover some allied health services (claims must be done after your appointment directly through your insurer).
Does my NDIS package cover my appointments?
Unfortunately, the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funding will not cover appointments to see our doctors.
You can use your funding to see our allied health therapists if specified in your plan, if your NDIS plan is Self-managed or Plan-managed. Please note our clinicians are not registered for NDIA managed plans.
Appointments need to be paid for in full and claimed back through the NDIS. Please contact your NDIS plan coordinator for further information if you are unsure.
What are your waiting times to see a clinician?
The Caring for Kids team is growing and we endeavour to keep our waiting times to see our clinicians as quick as possible. Unfortunately, there will be occasions when a wait to see our specialists could be many months. We encourage seeking advice from your current GP, therapy team or school as to what steps can be taken whilst waiting for your appointment.
Where can I find the clinic, and is there parking nearby?
- Free parking underground at Tooronga Village (first 3 hours level B3, 1 hour on level B2) – entry on Tooronga Road or Crescent Road.
- Take the lift to “podium level” marked P1.
- Walk across the podium towards the main road (Toorak Rd) and look for our rainbow signage.
- You will find our bright smiley faces on your right just before Toorak Rd.
- Please note: if you have found yourself in the shopping centre (or at Coles), please head back to the lifts. Similarly, if you find yourself at the lifts at the corner of Toorak/Tooronga Road, walk up the Toorak Road hill and you will see our signage.
Here’s a short video that speaks to how you can find your way to the Caring For Kids clinic.
Watch this video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KxtnEt4AZZc
Are there public transport options to the clinic?
By train: Tooronga Station on the Glen Waverley line is located 500m away.
By bus: The Kew-Oakleigh 624 bus route stops in front of Tooronga Village.
Nearby cycling paths: There is also the Gardiner’s Creek Bicycle Trail that passes close by with bike parking facilities located outside our clinic.
Is there access for wheelchair and prams at the clinic?
Yes, our clinic caters for wheelchairs and prams with trip free flooring and a passenger lift inside our clinic to access our clinic rooms upstairs if required.
Are there facilities for babies at the clinic?
Yes, our clinic has a private parent’s room for breast feeding and with full change facilities provided.
How do I access my telehealth appointment?
Our clinicians are able to provide telehealth consultations via Doxy.me. The links are embedded on our website under the Telehealth page. Please speak with our reception staff for more information and to opt-in to this option (we will always assume the appointment is face-to-face unless we are advised). Your child needs to be in attendance to claim a Medicare rebate.
How do I contact my clinician?
For questions in between appointments please send us an email with your child’s name and the relevant clinician in the Subject line. Many of our clinicians are part time and will endeavour to respond to your enquiry when they are next at our clinic. If you require medical advice, please speak with our reception staff to arrange an appointment.
Unfortunately, we do not provide an after-hours service. Please seek an appointment with your GP or in case of emergency present to your nearest hospital emergency department.
How do I contact my clinician regarding results?
Your doctor may refer your child to have blood tests or medical imaging. In most circumstances they will advise you to book a follow-up appointment to review the test results (either in person or via telehealth). This ensures patient safety and a high standard of medical care. If you have not heard from us when you were expecting to, please call or email or clinic and we will follow up for you.
How do I request repeat prescriptions?
Depending on the type of medication, you may need a review appointment with your doctor (or GP before a repeat prescription can be provided.
If your doctor has prescribed your child with a new medication or altered their regular dosage, they may request an earlier review to monitor your child’s progress. It is important to arrange this appointment within the recommended time frame.
If your doctor has said that they can provide a repeat prescription without an appointment, please contact our clinic well before your prescription is due to run out via reception@caringforkids.com.au.
How do I provide feedback?
Our team are dedicated to providing a high level of patient care, and we will always do our best to assist with queries or resolve any concerns you may have. We are always looking to improve and we would love to hear from you regarding your experience at Caring for Kids. Please email our team at enquiries@caringforkids.com.au.