Clinic Discharge Policy

Clinic Discharge Policy

At our clinic, we are committed to providing safe and continuous care to all our patients. However, there may be situations where a patient is formally discharged from our care. This policy outlines what a discharge entails and what to expect if you are discharged from our clinic.

1. What Does Discharge Mean?

• Discharge from our clinic means that we will no longer provide ongoing medical treatment, prescriptions, or follow-up care.
• This decision may occur if a patient chooses to discontinue services with us, or in situations where it is clinically appropriate for safety or compliance with regulations.

2. Ceasing of Prescriptions

• For patients on controlled substances, such as Schedule 8 medications, all prescriptions are immediately ceased upon discharge. This is in line with clinical safety protocols, as we can no longer monitor treatment outcomes or manage the associated risks without active involvement in your care.
• We recommend that patients seek alternative medical care to ensure continuity of any necessary treatment.

3. Notification of Discharge

• Patients will be informed of their discharge status and any steps they need to take moving forward.
• Where appropriate, we may provide a referral to another healthcare provider or suggest contacting your primary GP for continued care.

4. What to Do if You Experience Side Effects or Withdrawal Symptoms

• If you are discharged and experience any adverse side effects or withdrawal symptoms from your medication, we advise you to seek immediate care at an emergency department or through your primary healthcare provider. They can assess your needs and provide appropriate support.

5. Further Communication After Discharge

• Once a patient is formally discharged, our clinic will generally not engage in further communication related to ongoing medical care. This includes email and phone communications regarding prescriptions, treatment advice, or medical questions.
• If you need additional assistance after discharge, please consult a new healthcare provider who can manage your care on an ongoing basis.

6. Re-joining Our Services

• In certain circumstances, patients may reapply to receive care at our clinic after discharge. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

We understand that being discharged from a clinic can be challenging. Our goal is to support you in making a safe transition to alternative care providers. If you have any further questions about this policy, please feel free to reach out before your discharge is finalised.