TeleHealthSA Patient Consent, Terms & Policies
Last Updated: May 2026
Welcome to TeleHealthSA. Please read this Patient Consent, Terms & Policies document carefully before booking or attending a consultation through our platform.
By submitting a booking request, scheduling an appointment, making payment, attending a consultation, or using any TeleHealthSA services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms set out below.
1. About TeleHealthSA
TeleHealthSA is a telemedicine platform that facilitates access to healthcare professionals through secure virtual consultations. TeleHealthSA connects patients with independent healthcare practitioners who provide healthcare services remotely using telephone, video, messaging, and other approved communication technologies.
TeleHealthSA does not replace emergency medical services, hospitals, or in-person healthcare facilities where physical assessment or urgent medical intervention may be required.
2. Consent to Telemedicine Services
I voluntarily consent to receive healthcare services through telemedicine technologies provided through TeleHealthSA.
I understand that telemedicine involves the use of electronic communications, information technology, and digital platforms to enable healthcare professionals to assess, diagnose, advise, monitor, and treat patients remotely.
I acknowledge that telemedicine consultations may include:
- Medical consultations
- Mental health consultations
- Specialist consultations
- Follow-up consultations
- Health assessments
- Treatment planning
- Prescription management where clinically appropriate
- Referrals where clinically appropriate
I understand that telemedicine may not be suitable for every medical condition and that an in-person consultation, physical examination, emergency assessment, laboratory testing, or specialist referral may be recommended where clinically necessary.
3. Limitations of Virtual Healthcare
I understand that virtual consultations have limitations when compared to in-person healthcare services.
These limitations may include:
- Inability to perform a complete physical examination
- Dependence on information provided by the patient
- Technical issues affecting communication
- Limited ability to assess certain medical conditions remotely
- Potential delays caused by technology failures
I understand that healthcare professionals may determine that telemedicine is not appropriate for my condition and may recommend in-person assessment or emergency care.
4. Emergency Medical Situations
TeleHealthSA is not an emergency service.
If I believe that I am experiencing a medical emergency, psychiatric emergency, suicidal crisis, severe injury, chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, loss of consciousness, or any other urgent medical condition, I understand that I should immediately contact local emergency services or attend the nearest emergency department.
TeleHealthSA does not guarantee immediate access to healthcare professionals and should not be relied upon during emergencies.
5. Patient Responsibilities
By using TeleHealthSA, I agree to:
- Provide complete, accurate, and truthful information.
- Provide accurate contact details.
- Inform the practitioner of relevant medical history, medications, allergies, and health concerns.
- Attend appointments at the scheduled time.
- Participate honestly during consultations.
- Use TeleHealthSA services lawfully and responsibly.
- Ensure that I am in a safe and appropriate environment during consultations where possible.
- Maintain reasonable internet, telephone, or device connectivity required for virtual consultations.
I understand that providing inaccurate or incomplete information may affect the quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare services provided.
6. Practitioner Independence
Healthcare professionals consulting through TeleHealthSA are independent practitioners who remain professionally responsible for their own clinical decisions and services.
All diagnoses, treatment recommendations, prescriptions, referrals, medical certificates, reports, clinical opinions, and healthcare decisions are made solely by the consulting practitioner based on their independent professional judgment.
TeleHealthSA does not direct, control, influence, or interfere with clinical decision-making by healthcare professionals.
7. No Guarantee of Diagnosis, Prescription, Certificate, Referral, or Outcome
I understand and agree that:
- Healthcare outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
- A consultation does not guarantee a diagnosis.
- A consultation does not guarantee treatment.
- A consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
- A consultation does not guarantee a medical certificate.
- A consultation does not guarantee a referral.
- A consultation does not guarantee any specific clinical outcome.
All healthcare decisions remain subject to the practitioner’s professional judgment and applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
8. Prescriptions, Medical Certificates, Reports and Referrals
Where legally permitted and clinically appropriate, healthcare professionals may issue:
- Prescriptions
- Medical certificates
- Referral letters
- Specialist referrals
- Clinical reports
- Treatment plans
I understand that such documents may only be issued when clinically justified and at the sole discretion of the consulting healthcare professional.
Healthcare professionals reserve the right to refuse requests that are not clinically appropriate, medically justified, or legally permitted.
9. Mental Health and Psychiatry Services
For mental health, psychology, counselling, psychiatric, and related services, I understand that:
- Treatment recommendations may vary between practitioners.
- Psychiatric consultations do not guarantee prescriptions, controlled medicines, medical certificates, reports, or specific treatment recommendations.
- Additional consultations, assessments, or referrals may be required.
- Emergency psychiatric care may require immediate in-person intervention.
All clinical decisions remain at the discretion of the consulting mental health professional or psychiatrist.
10. Specialist Healthcare Services
TeleHealthSA may facilitate access to various healthcare professionals and specialists.
I understand that healthcare professionals may recommend:
- In-person consultations
- Laboratory testing
- Diagnostic imaging
- Specialist referrals
- Emergency assessment
- Hospital treatment
- Additional investigations
where clinically necessary.
I understand that some medical conditions cannot be fully assessed or treated through telemedicine alone.
11. Privacy and Protection of Personal Information
TeleHealthSA is committed to protecting personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
By using TeleHealthSA, I consent to the collection, storage, processing, and use of my personal information and health information for purposes including:
- Appointment scheduling
- Patient identification
- Healthcare delivery
- Clinical documentation
- Practitioner communication
- Billing and administration
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Quality assurance and patient support
Information will only be shared with authorised personnel, healthcare practitioners involved in my care, service providers supporting healthcare delivery, or where required by law.
12. Electronic Communications
I consent to receiving communications from TeleHealthSA through methods including:
- Telephone
- SMS
- Patient portals
- Electronic notifications
for purposes related to appointments, healthcare services, administrative matters, patient support, and follow-up communications.
While reasonable security measures are implemented, I acknowledge that electronic communication may involve risks associated with internet and telecommunications systems.
13. Technology and Service Availability
TeleHealthSA strives to provide reliable services but does not guarantee uninterrupted access to its platform, communication systems, websites, applications, or third-party technologies.
Consultations may be affected by:
- Internet interruptions
- Device failures
- Power outages
- Software issues
- Telecommunications failures
- Circumstances beyond reasonable control
Where possible, reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule or continue consultations affected by technical difficulties.
14. Recording of Consultations
Consultations are generally not recorded unless specifically disclosed and consented to where required.
Patients may not record consultations without obtaining any permissions required by applicable law.
Where recording is permitted or required, appropriate consent procedures will be followed.
15. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, TeleHealthSA shall not be liable for losses, damages, delays, interruptions, or consequences arising from:
- Technical failures
- Internet or communication interruptions
- Information provided by patients
- Third-party service providers
- Delays in healthcare delivery
- Circumstances beyond reasonable control
- Clinical decisions made independently by healthcare professionals
Nothing in this document excludes any rights that cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.
16. Amendments
TeleHealthSA may update or amend this Patient Consent, Terms & Policies document from time to time.
The latest version will be made available on the TeleHealthSA website and will apply from the date of publication.
17. Electronic Acceptance
By submitting a booking request, scheduling an appointment, making payment, attending a consultation, or using TeleHealthSA services, I confirm that:
- I have read and understood this Patient Consent, Terms & Policies document.
- I consent to receiving healthcare services through telemedicine where appropriate.
- I understand the limitations of virtual healthcare.
- I consent to the processing of my personal information as described herein.
- I understand that healthcare professionals exercise independent clinical judgment.
- I agree to be bound by these terms and policies.
If I do not agree to these terms, I understand that I should not proceed with booking or using TeleHealthSA services.
