Terms of Service

Our Commitment to You

Our commitment to you is based on more than just excellent clinical care and customer service, which should be expected. Sterling Physiotherapy values your Human Rights. Our clients receive respectful care and are not discriminated against on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs, sexual preference or health status.

You have the right to see the physiotherapist of your choice, obtain a second opinion, and/or refuse a treatment. Please contact us if you would like to provide feedback or make a complaint.

 

Your Commitment to Us

In order to achieve outstanding treatment results, we require an equal commitment from you. Please take the time to read all of our Terms and Conditions, as clarity in communication and understanding will ensure that all parties are on the same page and achieving the best possible outcome.

All of our professional recommendations are based on the information provided by you, an objective and expert physiotherapy examination and the specific goals determined by you and your physiotherapist. It is important to understand our Terms and Conditions and for you to acknowledge that ultimately, it is your responsibility to follow our advice and avoid situations that may aggravate your condition. We acknowledge an infinite number of variables can impact on the outcomes of any treatment program.

We are confident that if you follow our recommendations and management plan throughout the term of your treatment, then we can help you to achieve outstanding results.

Cancellations

Whilst we understand that schedules and availabilities may change due to various circumstances, last-minute cancellations and clients not attending their scheduled appointments places a significant impact on our operating costs, waiting list, as well as negatively affecting your treatment progress.

  1. A $60 deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your appointment.

  2. Clients will receive reminder SMS texts and email prior to their appointment, and must notify the clinic via email or telephone, no less than Twenty-Four (24) hours prior to their appointment, should you wish to cancel or amend your appointment without incurring an administration fee.

  3. If less than Twenty-Four (24) hours notice is given, the $60 booking deposit will be charged as an administration fee.

  4. This relates to all clients irrespective of their method of funding (i.e. Self-funded, Private Health Insurance, Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, Transport Accidents, etc). In the case of compensable clients who have been permitted to bulk bill their consultation fees, or the appointment fee is covered by private health insurance (partial and/or in full), cancellations must be paid separately by themselves, and cannot be bulk billed.

  5. Further appointments cannot be arranged until any outstanding fees have been paid.

Late and Missed Appointments

  1. If you arrive late to an appointment, whether online or in-person, but within your allocated time slot, you may receive a shorter consultation, so to not inconvenience other clients after you.

  2. If you either arrive after or miss an appointment entirely, you will be charged a $60 administration fee or your booking deposit.

 

Consent to Treatment

We agree to provide physiotherapy services to you on the terms set out in this Agreement. This document represents the entire understanding between all parties, and – except for those terms implied by law and which cannot be excluded and any other terms specifically incorporated by reference – no other terms apply. 

  1. You hereby request and give consent to our therapists to perform all necessary examinations, manipulations, therapy, rehabilitation, and medical diagnostic procedures in accordance with their professional training and understanding of your injury. You understand that during your treatment, care may be rendered by different therapists at Sterling Physiotherapy.

  2. You understand that you have an opportunity to discuss with your physiotherapist, the nature and purpose of your physiotherapy care before any treatment is rendered. You have the right to see the physiotherapist of your choice, refuse intervention or seek a further opinion and to provide feedback and make a complaint

  3. If you are under 18 years of age, you must provide us with the written consent of your parent or legal guardian, who must also agree to:

  • Be bound by this Agreement;

  • Provide proper supervision in relation to the provision of information to us; and

  • Provide proper supervision in relation to your use of our services

By purchasing and/or scheduling any services provided by Sterling Physiotherapy, you acknowledge and accept the following:

  1. The physical nature of physiotherapy and related treatments.

  2. The adverse risks associated with treatment, including stiffness and soreness, soft tissue injury, neurological complications, cerebrovascular injuries, skin irritations, burns and other minor complications.

  3. The probability of risk is lowered by screening procedures.

  4. Other treatment options exist if the risk of physiotherapy is considered to be high, including medication, medical care, hospitalisation and surgery.

  5. During online physiotherapy/Telehealth consultations, the physiotherapist is unable to administer manual and/or physical treatment modalities, due to geographical limitations.

  6. The risk of remaining untreated includes the formation of adhesions, scar tissue and other degenerative changes. These changes can further reduce skeletal mobility, and induce chronic pain cycles. It is quite probable that delay of treatment will complicate the condition and make future rehabilitation more difficult.

  7. Most clients receive our services without the need of a medical or other referral. However, in the event a referral from another practitioner has been given, it is highly recommended that such a referral is provided to the treating physiotherapist to assist in the continuity of care and our delivery of the most appropriate treatment for the client.

 

Consent to Obtain and Release Information

  1. To expedite the management of your injury or injury claim, you accept it may be necessary to communicate the details of your medical condition with treating practitioners, rehabilitation consultants, case managers and employers.

  2. By signing these Terms and Conditions you give permission for representatives of Sterling Physiotherapy to exchange such information regarding injuries sustained and any significant past medical history, with those people deemed necessary by Sterling Physiotherapy.

 

Accounts and Billing

  1. It is expected that all fees are paid in full at the time of consultation. Our schedule of fees can be seen on the online booking system via our website.

  2. For online consultations, it is expected that all fees are paid prior to commencing the session via our online booking system. We accept EFTPOS and credit card payments for online consultation bookings.

  3. For in-person consultations, we accept cash, EFTPOS, and credit card payment methods at the site of your consultation.

  4. We offer electronic health rebates (via HICAPS) for your convenience for online and in-person consultations. Please check prior to booking whether your private health fund accepts telehealth rebates. In the event of electronic network failure, full payment is still required on the day of consultation.

  5. For online consultations, full payment for the session is required at the time of booking.

  6. Health insurance rebates can only be applied at the end of the session after the service has been received. The balance paid by the HICAPS rebate is then refunded directly onto your credit or EFTPOS card. Please allow 2-3 business days for this reimbursement to arrive back at your card. Alternatively, you can submit a claim for a rebate with your health insurance company yourself after the service has been completed.

  7. In certain circumstances, we offer over the phone credit and debit card payments, prior to the commencement of your consultation. In the instance of purchasing treatment packages, rebates will only be available once the treatment service has been completed.

  8. There is no refund available on the purchase of any personal or healthcare items if you change your mind. If the item is defective we can either refund or exchange the item for you. The clinic reserves the final decision on whether the item is considered defective.

 

Privacy Policy Summary Statement

  1. Sterling Physiotherapy is committed to protecting your privacy and this information is generally only disclosed to other members of your medical team where necessary.

  2. The personal and health information you provide during your consultation and subsequent treatment will be collected for the primary purpose of providing high quality health care.

  3. Where required by law or if necessary for debt collection reasons, your personal information will be disclosed.

  4. Sterling Physiotherapy uses SMS and/or email communication to keep you up to date with the status of your appointment.

  5. From time to time we may send you information regarding happenings at your local practice via a number of possible ways including: post, email, telephone call or SMS. Reasons we may contact you include:

  • To administer accounts and process payments.

  • To communicate with you regarding any issues affecting your treatment.

  • Provide information on services and benefits available to Clients.

  • To notify Clients of promotions and events.

  • For research purposes, case conferences, in study groups and at seminars (please note in these instances, all personal information will be de-identified).

  • Appointment Reminders.

  • Appointment Follow Ups.

  • Marketing and promotional material about new products, services or special offers.

  • Periodic Newsletters.

  • Practice Updates.

  • To provide you with information about the current and future benefits of being a Sterling Physiotherapy client.

  • Market research or surveys to improve our products and services.

Should you wish not to receive such communications or our convenient SMS appointment reminders please advise the team at Sterling Physiotherapy, or alternatively follow the ‘unsubscribe’ instructions provided in the communication.

You may gain access to information held about you by this Practice by putting your request in writing. Please attention all such correspondence to the “Practice Director”. Please note a fee may apply.

Your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions is considered consent to receive such communications as outlined above. However, you may opt out at any time. The above is a Summary Statement only, and we strongly encourage you to take the time to read the Sterling Physiotherapy Privacy Policy in full.

 

Exclusion of Liability

  1. The Practice Director and employees of this Practice shall not be liable for, nor shall they accept any responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage sustained by any person or persons arising out of any of the treatments or procedures delivered during the services of Sterling Physiotherapy which does not arise from any negligent act or omission of the Practice Director and employees.

  2. Treatment programs and management plans devised by physiotherapists of this Practice are specific to the needs and circumstances of the client, and may not be widely applicable to other parties. The practice director and employees of this Practice will assume no duty of care in relation to usage of a prescribed treatment program and management plan by a third person other than the client.

 

General Promotional Offers Terms and Conditions

 These terms and conditions apply to all promotions run by Sterling Physiotherapy and its representatives and/or its practices. Unless specifically stated otherwise:

  1. Offer not valid with any other offer

  2. Offer is limited to one offer per person.

  3. Any discounts are off the standard pricing for the product or service.

  4. Not redeemable for cash or products.

  5. Pricing relating to any offer is valid only at the time of publication and is subject to change or termination without notice.

  6. ‘New’ clients – means anyone that has never received services at the practice before.

  7. The offer applies to initial and standard physiotherapy and other non-group-based appointments. If interested in longer treatments or group-based sessions, please contact us for details before booking.

  8. To ensure the benefit of the offer is passed on to you, please confirm that you are claiming the offer when booking, or with the practice staff at the time of arrival.

If you have any queries about these Terms and Conditions, please contact:

 

STERLING PHYSIOTHERAPY

Attention:     Practice Director

Email:        team@sterlingphysio.com.au

Please note that Sterling Physiotherapy may change this policy from time to time. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy are fully available on our website ( https://www.sterlingphysio.com.au/ ). Clients are also welcome to contact team@sterlingphysio.com.au for digital copies for their own reference.

 

This Policy was last updated on 11 October 2023.