VC Speech Therapy – Appointment Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions are intended to ensure that appointments run smoothly and that both you and VC Speech Therapy understand our respective responsibilities. By booking an appointment, you agree to these terms.
1. Appointment Allocation
Appointments may be provided by Veronica Clark or another Speech and Language Therapist working with VC Speech Therapy. Therapists are allocated according to their specialist expertise, availability and the individual needs of each client. We will let you know in advance who your treating therapist will be.
2. Fees and Payment
Current fees will be provided before therapy commences.Payment is due within the timeframe stated on your invoice, unless otherwise agreed in advance. For Medical Insurance payments see below. VC Speech Therapy reserves the right to suspend appointments where invoices remain unpaid.
3. Cancellation and Non-Attendance
More than 24 hours' notice: Appointments may be cancelled or rearranged without charge.
Less than 24 hours' notice: A cancellation fee of up to the full appointment fee may be charged at the discretion of VC Speech Therapy.
Failure to attend an appointment without notice will be charged at the full appointment fee.
Cancellation fees are not normally recoverable from private health insurance providers.
Late Arrival
If you arrive late for your appointment, every effort will be made to provide your full appointment. However, appointments will end at the scheduled time and the full appointment fee will still apply.
4. Private Medical Insurance
Where VC Speech Therapy agrees to invoice your insurer directly, ultimate responsibility for payment of all fees remains with you.
It is your responsibility to:
Confirm that Speech and Language Therapy is covered under your policy.
Confirm the number of authorised sessions available.
Check whether an excess, co-payment or contribution is payable by you.
Provide any authorisation codes required by your insurer.
If your insurer declines payment, makes a partial payment, applies an excess, or otherwise fails to settle an invoice, the outstanding balance will become payable by you.
5. Clinical Documentation
VC Speech Therapy may use Heidi Health, a secure healthcare documentation platform, to assist with clinical note-taking during appointments.
Heidi Health is designed for healthcare settings and operates in accordance with UK GDPR and healthcare data security requirements. It generates draft clinical notes, which are reviewed and approved by your treating Speech and Language Therapist before being saved to your clinical record. If you would prefer Heidi Health not to be used during your appointment, please let your therapist know.
The use of Heidi Health does not replace clinical judgement.
6. Confidentiality and Data Protection
Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with UK data protection legislation. Further information about how your information is collected, used, stored and shared can be found in our Privacy Notice.
7. Reports and Correspondence
Requests for additional reports, letters, forms or other documentation outside the scope of your assessment or therapy may incur an additional charge. Any fees will be discussed with you in advance.
8. Communication
Email is suitable for appointment booking and general enquiries but should not be used for urgent medical concerns. VC Speech Therapy does not provide an emergency service.
9. Ending Therapy
You may discontinue therapy at any time. Therapy may also end once your goals have been achieved or where further therapy is no longer clinically appropriate. VC Speech Therapy reserves the right to discontinue services where attendance is inconsistent, fees remain unpaid, or where the service can no longer be provided safely or appropriately.
If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact us at info@vcspeechtherapy.com