What do I need to do?
Before your appointment, you will need to obtain a referral from your GP/medical specialist.

You will be able to do a telehealth consult with your GP/specialist, and ask for a referral to be emailed to yourself or directly to us (info@theosteocollective.com.au). All required details for each practitioner are at the bottom of this email.

It is up to the GP/medical specialist to determine the urgency of the need for you to seek face-to-face treatment. When you contact your GP/medical specialist, we suggest being ready to tell them:

• What the problem is, 
• How it is affecting you and your activities of daily living, 
• If it is affecting your ability to work,
• The impact on your ability to care for others (ie your children, elderly parents, family members with disability), 
• Your current pain levels and 
• Its impact on your mental health and well-being. 

Also, please be aware that the GP/medical specialist may not be aware of the requirement to refer someone for treatment. Everyone in the healthcare industry is working very hard to be across all the details, however there will be people who miss certain pieces of information.

There is no guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as to what is required in the referral. We believe that any written referral from a GP/medical specialist will suffice.

Travelling to your appointment
If you are questioned by police on the way to/from your appointment, please show your sms/email appointment confirmation or reminder. If you live further than 5km from the clinic, you are still allowed to attend.

Why this change?
DHHS have made a range of announcements under Stage 4 Restrictions. Part of this is how Allied Health will operate. While we are open, they want only people who need urgent care attending appointments.

Is this referral requirement likely to remain in force throughout stage 4 restrictions?
We presume so, however with a range of other matters during this pandemic, DHHS and the Government have clarified and amended their advice on a range of matters.

Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and Osteopathy Australia (OA) is meeting with DHHS again tomorrow, so further clarification may come then. Some wording / interpretation / intention of restrictions may be clarified. If there are any changes, we will let you know.

Workcover/TAC/DVA/CDM
If you are a Workcover, TAC, DVA or CDM patient, our understanding is that you will still require a further referral from your GP/medical specialist.

If you can’t get a referral but still require assistance
We have options for you. Our Online Osteopathy appointments are available. You can find out more about them here.

We will be able to provide advice, teach you some self treatment techniques and provided exercise rehab plans during these consults to assist you in any way we can.

What about Exercise Physiology?
We are still seeking clarification on EP. We believe it to be the same requirements as osteopathy, but we need to confirm.

What about remedial massage?
We are still seeking clarification on remedial massage. We believe it may be the same requirements as osteopathy, but we need to confirm.

Online Store
We have a number of products including foam rollers, massage balls, pillows, and more. These products may be able to assist you if you aren’t able to access treatment. We can run an online appointment with you to demonstrate and teach you how to utilise foam rollers, massage balls, resistance bands etc.

Please know that we are still here to assist you as you need during this time, whether it be in the treatment room, online appointments or our available products.

We send our best to you all. Thank you for your support,

Scott, Todd, Maddy & Elissa