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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

We strive to help answer any questions you might have about our diagnostic and therapy services in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and throughout Australia. We have answered several of your frequently asked questions to assist in addressing your queries. If your question is not addressed, please feel free to get in touch by emailing us on enquiries@patches.com.au 

Yes, we accept participants of all ages.

You will need to complete a referral form for NDIS services you can complete the referral independently. If you are seeking to access a mental health or chronic disease management plan you will require a GP care plan and referral. 

Patches therapy services complete travel to a number of communities. The outreach teams can travel to new locations to participants with NDIS funding. If you would like a Patches team member to visit you in your location, contact our local offices.

Communities we currently services on a regular basis:

Western Australia:

Kimberley (Broome, Derby, Bidyadanga, Fitzroy, Crossing, Halls , Creek, Kununurra, Wyndham, Beagle Bay)

Pilbara (Port Hedland, Pannawonica, Karratha, Tom Price, Marble Bar, Newman, Jigalong)
Perth (Perth, Wheatbelt)

Gascoyne (Exmouth, Carnarvon)

Goldfields and Western Desert (Leonora , Kalgoorlie)

Northern Territory:

Darwin, Katherine, Lajamanu, Alice Springs, Numbulwar, Gailiwinku, Barunga

Patches therapy services are working to develop relationships in other remote communities

We make every effort to minimise wait times for our newly referred participants. Depending on your needs and clinician capacity, wait times may vary greatly between locations. Contact us to get the most up to date information on wait times and to discuss the option to receive telehealth service from another one of our locations with sooner availability.

Yes, Patches therapists can see you at home, school or in the clinic. 

Patches follow the NDIS price guide, the cost of services will differ to the location you are in. For more information on this please contact your local office or email therapy@patches.com.au 

Depending on the therapist, you may able to start therapy straight away or there may be a wait period. Contact the local clinic to discuss your needs. 

Absolutely let us know if you have a preference and we will try our best to accommodate you.

You are welcome to submit a referral and begin therapy as a privately paying client until the client’s NDIS funds are approved.

Our team of professionals specialise in the assessment many neurodevelopmental concerns including ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID), Learning Difficulties and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). Many of these conditions are assessed comprehensively by a mutli-disciplinary team of clinicians at Patches. 

A multi-disciplinary team comprises of a number of clinicians who work together to conduct a joint assessment of your child, rather than working separately in their particular fields. 

A multidisciplinary team offers busy families the ability to see an expert team in the one centre on the one day. Depending on your concern the team of clinicians for your child’s assessment may include;  

-A Development Paediatrician  

-A Clinical Psychologist or Neuropsychologist 

-A Speech Pathologist  

-An Occupational Therapist

 

Following your child’s assessments, our team of clinicians meet to discuss their observations and make comprehensive recommendations tailored to your child’s needs included in a collaborative and integrated report. 

 

In order to make an appointment for an assessment Patches requires the following documents  

-Client Information Form or ASD Family Referral Form (include links) 

-School Information Form or ASD School Referral Form (include links) 

-GP Referral Form – signed and addressed to Patches (include link)  

Once we have received the required information we then discuss your child’s case at our weekly intake meeting with our team of clinicians. A member of our assessments team will then contact you to discuss the recommended assessment for your child, provide a quote and schedule appointments. 

Please note that GP Referrals are only valid for 12 months and a specialist referral is valid for 3 months. If allied health practitioners are seen with a Chronic Disease Management Plan, Team Care Arrangement or Better Access to Mental Health Plan then these referrals are required in order to attract a Medicare rebate.

In order to assist our team of clinicians determine the most appropriate assessment for your child the following types of documents may be useful:  

-Medical Records from birth  

-Medical Reports and Letters (i.e. Paediatricians, Specialists).  

-Allied Health Reports  

-School IEP and Reports  

-School Psychology Reports 

 

Assessments costs vary depending on length, consultation type, and practitioner. Our assessment team staff will be happy to discuss the fee schedules with you at the time of booking. Payment is to be made at the time of consultation. Visa/Mastercard, EFTPOS and bank transfer are accepted.  

Provided you have a valid referral, consultations with our Paediatricians attract a Medicare rebate. Consultations with allied health practitioners under an appropriate Medicare plan (Better Access to Mental Health Care, Team Care Arrangement or Chronic Disease Management Plan) also attract Medicare Rebates. More details can be found at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/.

The length of an assessment varies depending on the developmental concern, individual complexity, and clinicians required. We aim to complete most assessments on the one day, within a few hours. Our assessment team staff will advise the length of your child’s assessment at the time of booking.

For most assessments both parents or caregivers and the child are required to be in attendance. For Medicare eligible appointments, the child or client always needs to be present at the practice. 

Patches provides a comprehensive report after all assessments, in most cases within 5 business days. A copy of the report is also sent directly to the referring General Practitioner.