FAQ

We are a psychiatry practice that provides gold standard treatments for adults. We provide a quality integrative service as we work alongside three clinical psychology clinics.

Common Questions

  • Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have done further specialised training in psychiatry and are Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Psychiatrists treat a variety of complex and serious mental illnesses and may prescribe medication, together with psychological treatment.

  • People are often confused about who they need to see and what the difference is between a psychiatrist and psychologist and the services they offer.

    Psychiatrists are trained medical specialists, meaning they obtain a medical degree before going on to specialise. They offer treatments, which may include, general medical care (checking your physical health, physical effects of medication), mental health help, medication, psychological treatments and brain stimulation therapies (such as, electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation). Psychiatrists usually assess and treat a range of severe and complex mental disorders.

    Psychologists are professionals that have undertaken highly specialised training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioural and emotional disorders.

    A psychologist may hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and be called “doctor”; but, is not a medical doctor (M.D.).

  • If you are unsure whether you should see a psychiatrist or psychologist, talk to your general practitioner. They can give you advice about whether a psychiatrist or psychologist is right for you. This usually depends on your particular symptoms and the type of treatment you need. It may also depend on what treatment has already been tried.

  • Please note, our doctors are currently reviewing referrals for limited new patients and also have extended wait times. Please take this into consideration when requesting an initial appointment.

    A referral from your GP needs to be received and accepted before an appointment can be booked with one of our psychiatrists.

    Once your referral has been received (this can be faxed to us on 07 3112 4248, sent via Medical objects or emailed by yourself or your GP clinic) our reception staff will pass it onto the doctors to determine if they are able to take on your care. Acceptance is not guaranteed, and depends upon the doctor’s patient load, patient mix, and the availability of adequate appointment space to provide the required level of care.

    If your referral has been accepted, our reception staff will contact you via phone to make an appointment. A deposit is required to secure your first appointment (this is the out-of-pocket amount for your first appointment).

    If we are unable to accept your referral, we will advise your referring doctor of this outcome. If there is a patient email address on the referral, we will also email you to let you know.

    We aim to process and contact accepted referrals within 10 business days; however this may vary if doctors are on leave.

    Please feel free to email us to enquire about the progress of your referral. admin@oxfordclinic.com.au.

  • We are happy to talk you through the intake process, however all patients require a General Practitioner referral for the Medicare Rebate to be available.

    Referrals can be sent directly from your GP, in person or emailed directly to the clinic (refer contact page).

    Please be aware that the clinic is not open on weekends and does not provide after hours appointments.

  • Fees and rebates

    Patients require a valid referral from a General Practitioner to access the Medicare rebate which covers some of the appointment. Please contact us for more information on fees.

    All fees are to be paid in full on the day of your appointment. We are not a Bulk Billing service. We accept all normal forms of payment including Credit and Debit cards. Rebates are processed electronically on the day or service to the patient’s bank account associated with their Medicare card.

    Cancellation fees

    Please provide at least 24 hours notice of any cancellation to avoid incurring a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees do not attract a Medicare rebate and must be paid in full prior to your next appointment.

  • The Medicare Safety Net means that the Government will meet 80% of out of pocket costs for all medical services (including appointments with a psychiatrist) delivered out of hospital after an individual or family has spent $2030.00 in out of pocket fees (or $647.90 if you are a concession card holder or family receiving family tax benefit (A)) in a calendar year.

    If you become involving in ongoing treatment, this will substantially reduce the costs of seeing a psychiatrist. Although you will still pay the same amount for your appointment, Medicare will refund 80% of your costs.

    To receive this benefit you must be registered for the safety net (either as an individual or family). A registration form can be filled in and lodged with Medicare. We strongly recommend this.

    For more information regarding the Medicare safety net visit their website at https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-safety-net

  • Please provide 24 hours notice in the event you wish to cancel your appointment. By giving us notice of your cancellation, you allow another patient in need on our waiting list to have the chance of a Specialist Appointment.

    Refer cancellation policy.  Another appointment will not be booked unless the fee is paid (or extenuating circumstances grant a waiver).

  • As you can understand it is nearly impossible for a psychiatrist to book in a new patient at very short notice. A late cancelled appointment is a loss to:

    • The patient who is delaying their therapy progress
    • Another patient who is on the waiting list to see the psychiatrist urgently

    Our clinic policy is as follows:

    • A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel your appointment and you will not incur a fee (unless your appointment is on a Monday where you will need to contact the clinic by 12pm Saturday to cancel your appointment without penalty).
    • Cancelling an appointment within 24 hours incurs a fee equivalent to your consultation fee which will be charged and required to be paid when you call to cancel your appointment. This cannot be claimed back through Medicare.
    • Cancelling an appointment due to illness under 24 hours from your appointment will incur a fee of the full amount of your consultation.
    • If you are unable to attend your appointment and you do not let the clinic know, you will incur the full fee of your consultation.
    • In the interests of fairness, these fees apply to all patients and cannot be altered by the practice manager, reception staff and Doctors.
    • If you have cancelled or missed an appointment it is your responsibility to contact Oxford Clinic to reschedule.
    • If you miss two or more appointments in a row, your doctor will try to contact you by phone. If we are unable to contact you, we will send you a letter and we will assume that you are well and no longer require our services.
    • If you wish to end treatment, we at Oxford Clinic request that you discuss this with your doctor rather than simply failing to show up.
    • Doctors are required to inform the Clinic Director of recurrent late cancellations or missed appointments.
  • Oxford Clinic is an outpatient clinic and does not have an on-call service. In an emergency call 000 or go to your local hospital emergency department.

    Acute Care Team

    The Acute Care Team Service is the point of access to Mental Health Services in CQ Health for people over 18 years old. You can access this service by calling the 24 hour hour access number 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 2255).

    Other services:

    Mental Health Access Line  1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255)

    Lifeline  13 11 14

    Beyond Blue  1300 22 46 36

    Veterans Support Service  1800 011 046

    PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression)  1300 726 306

    Butterfly Foundation (Eating Disorders)  1800 334673

Mental Health Emergency Services

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