Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
What happens after I booked my appointment?
After you have booked your appointment, and in case of a NEW ASSESSMENT, having had your referral triaged and accepted, you will receive an email confirming your appointment time and a link to complete the New Patient Intake Form. Depending on the requested assessment, you might also be sent screening/testing paperwork. It is important to complete all these forms as soon as possible, and BEFORE your appointment so that your assessment can be as comprehensive as possible.
You will also receive an invitation to sign up to the patient portal (Halaxy) and we strongly recommend you do this. Your patient portal will allow you to check your appointment time, update your contact details, upload any additional documents (e.g., school reports, other clinical summaries) and receive documents from our doctors.
Please note we do NOT communicate clinical matters via email.
What can I expect from my first consultation?
Your initial session will be 60 minutes. You will be asked a series of questions to gain a better understanding of your mental health. 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 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 ask. If you have booked a telehealth appointment please click on the VIDEO CONSULT LINK in pre-appointment reminder SMS/email to access the Halaxy telehealth platform.
If your referral was for ongoing treatment, once your assessment is complete, your doctor will request that you make another review appointment where you and your psychiatrist will discuss treatment in more detail and if medications are involved, you will receive your prescription in that review appointment.
If your referral was for a one-off 291 assessment, no further appointments will be made and the psychiatrist will write a report to your GP (usually within 2 weeks) and you will need to see your GP to start treatment. (See also below).
Who should I bring to my consultation?
You are more than welcome to bring a support person to your consultations if you choose to do so, as the support of family and friends can have a positive effect on your engagement during the assessment, and therefore, outcome of the assessment. They can also be a source of collateral information that may aid the doctor’s understanding of your situation. However, please rest assured that your privacy and safety is paramount and information will only be shared with these individuals upon your expressed informed consent.
For ADHD/Autistic Spectrum Disorder assessment, it is essential that Dr Nguyen be able to interview them as part of the assessment process to gather deeper understanding and the chronology of your issues, particularly any information about your childhood that you might not recall, for example. Should this cause any concerns, or be impractical, you would be more than welcome to contact our reception team who could clarify with Dr Nguyen. We will endeavour to work out the most appropriate approach for you individually.
What can I expect from subsequent consultations?
The length of your subsequent consultations may 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. We strongly suggest you ask as many questions as you like to ensure you have a proper understanding of your treatment plan.
Why do I have to pay a deposit to book an appointment?
Unfortunately, many patients simply do not turn up to their appointments which causes further delays in helping other patients and is unfair to the doctor’s time. The deposit amount will be deducted from your consultation fee. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel or reschedule with more than 2 business days’ notice, otherwise late cancellation policy will apply.
Please note: processing fee is non-refundable.
Do you offer urgent appointments or crisis care?
Unfortunately we do not offer urgent appointments nor have the capacity to manage psychiatric crises and emergencies. If you require urgent help please try one of the following:
- Call 000 and ask for an ambulance
- Call Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Attend the Emergency Department at your local hospital
What is a 291 assessment?
A 291 assessment means that your GP is referring you to see a psychiatrist for a “one-off assessment”. After the psychiatrist sees you, they will write a very detailed report and treatment plan that will be provided to you and your GP. It is then your GP’s responsibility to provide you with treatment and you will not be receiving any treatment/prescriptions from the psychiatrist.
Please note that you are only eligible for one 291 assessment every 12 months so if you have already had a 291 assessment with another psychiatrist in the last 12 months you will not receive the Medicare rebate.
What is a 293 review?
A 293 review is when you have had a 291 assessment with one of the psychiatrists within the last 12 months and your GP feels it would be a good idea to have a review to provide further advice on your treatment. A new report will be written and forwarded to your GP with updated advice and you will continue to receive treatment with your GP.