Separated Parents Policy
At Wild Child Paediatrics
We recognize the unique challenges faced by families where parents are separated.
Our goal is to provide clear and coordinated care for your child, while maintaining professional boundaries and fostering collaboration between parents.
Our Approach
We focus on supporting children with developmental needs and ensuring their care remains the priority.
Separated parents are encouraged to:
Keep appointments focused on the child’s needs and free from conflict.
Resolve disagreements regarding assessments, treatments, and payments outside of the clinic.
Ensure that animosity between parents does not affect the child’s experience during appointments.
Guidelines for Separated Parents
Custody and Parenting Orders:
Parents must provide copies of relevant custody or court orders to help us align with parenting arrangements and ensure appropriate communication.
Attendance at Appointments:
Whenever possible, both parents are welcome to attend appointments. However, it is the responsibility of the parent booking the appointment to inform the other parent, invite them to attend, and share feedback or reports afterwards.
Reports and Correspondence:
Clinic reports are sent to the attending parent by default. If both parents require copies, this must be requested, and we will endeavour to accommodate where practical. Separate feedback sessions for each parent requires additional appointment time and will incur standard fees.
Payment of Fees:
Payment must be made at the time of the appointment by the attending parent. If legal agreements require the other parent to contribute to costs, it is the attending parent’s responsibility to arrange reimbursement.
Managing Conflict
If significant conflict arises, the paediatrician may review court orders, request signed consent from both parents or temporarily limit services until the dispute is resolved.
In cases where parents cannot be in the same room, we can offer one parent a Telehealth option (phone or video). Separate appointments for each parent can also be arranged, with fees charged for each consultation.
Therapeutic Decisions
Effective care requires cooperation between parents. For specific treatments, such as prescribing non-essential medications, the paediatrician may defer treatment until both parents agree. The paediatrician’s role is to provide a medical opinion, not to mediate or enforce decisions between parents.
Legal and Administrative Limitations
Legal Proceedings
We do not accept referrals for custody evaluations or Family Law Court reports. Our focus is on the assessment and management of children’s developmental needs.
Communication Policy:
By default, one parent is identified as the “primary parent” in our system, and automated communications (e.g., reminders) are sent to that parent. If both parents require separate correspondence, this must be specifically requested. While we will endeavour to comply, such arrangements are not automated and may result in delays.
Working Together
Where possible, we recommend separated parents to operate under a framework of joint parental responsibility, exchanging information and working collaboratively for the benefit of their child. While we strive to accommodate individual circumstances where possible, we have limited capacity to manage complex arrangements.
If you have concerns about these policies, please discuss them with our administration
team. Our priority is to ensure that the care we provide remains focused on your child’s needs and wellbeing.