Children with Separated Parents Policy
Hobart Paediatric Group
Policy: Children with Separated Parents
Purpose
Hobart Paediatric Group recognises that separation of parents and caregivers is common and that children, particularly those with developmental, behavioural, or medical needs, may be especially vulnerable during these periods. This policy outlines our approach to supporting children and families where parents are separated, while ensuring care remains child-focused, safe, and clinically appropriate.
Guiding Principles
The child’s wellbeing and best interests are always our primary focus.
Respectful communication and cooperation between parents are essential to effective care.
Hobart Paediatric Group is a healthcare service, not a mediator or legal advisor.
Where parental conflict interferes with the child’s care or clinical operations, the practice may limit, suspend, or decline to provide services (including commencing or continuing care)
Expectations of Separated Parents
To support optimal paediatric care, Hobart Paediatric Group requests that separated parents endeavour to:
Keep conflict, hostility, or animosity away from the child and clinic appointments
Prioritise the child’s needs above personal disagreements
Resolve disputes regarding assessments, treatment plans, medications, or payment arrangements outside the clinic setting and not in front of the child
Custody and Parenting Arrangements
Parents identifying as separated may be asked to provide copies of relevant court orders or written parenting arrangements.
This information assists the clinic in managing appointments, consent, and communication appropriately.
It is the responsibility of parents to ensure the clinic is provided with current and accurate legal documentation.
Appointments and Attendance
Where parents share care and decision-making responsibility, clinicians generally prefer both parents to attend appointments.
Appointment structure (joint or separate) will be determined in consultation with the parent making the booking and based on clinical appropriateness and safety.
If one parent books an appointment, the clinic does not automatically notify or invite the other parent.
The booking parent is responsible for informing the other parent, inviting their attendance if appropriate, and sharing outcomes of the appointment.
Separate Appointments
If separate appointments are required, this must be discussed with administration staff in advance.
Standard time-based fees apply to each appointment.
Medicare rebates require the child to be present at the consultation.
Telehealth (telephone or video) appointments may be offered where appropriate and are eligible for Medicare rebates if the child is present.
Reports and Clinical Communication
Discussion and feedback are provided to the parent who attends the appointment.
Clinicians do not have the capacity to provide separate feedback to each parent without separate appointments being booked.
Hobart Paediatric Group will endeavour to email copies of correspondence to both parents where these contact details have been supplied and are up to date.
We recognise the rights of the mature minor and if deemed Gillick competent their right to withhold sharing of information with parents or legal guardians.
Payment Terms
Payment is required on the day of the child’s appointment.
Where legal agreements require cost-sharing or reimbursement by the non-attending parent, it remains the responsibility of the attending parent to settle accounts with the clinic and seek reimbursement privately.
Consent and Clinical Decision-Making
Cooperation between parents is necessary for effective therapeutic intervention.
In situations of disagreement, the Paediatrician’s role is to provide clinical opinion rather than enforce parental decisions.
Whilst it is desirable that both parents agree and consent to ongoing medical recommendations, this does not prevent the provision of clinically necessary or urgent care, which will be provided in accordance with the child’s best interests and usual consent requirements.
Where significant conflict exists, the doctor may:
Request review of court orders
Require written consent from both parents
Limit or pause services until disputes are resolved
Discharge the family from care if conflict disrupts clinic operations or compromises the child’s care
High-Conflict Situations
If parents cannot be in the same room, one parent may be offered Telehealth participation where clinically appropriate.
Hobart Paediatric Group reserves the right to modify appointment structures to maintain a safe and respectful environment.
Extreme adverse relationships between parents may result in exclusion from initial or ongoing access to paediatric services offered by Hobart Paediatric Group
Scope of Practice and Legal Matters
Hobart Paediatric Group does not accept referrals where the primary purpose is to generate reports or opinions for custody disputes or Family Law Court proceedings.
Our clinicians focus exclusively on the assessment and management of children’s medical and developmental needs.
Communication Guidelines
Each child is required to have a designated default primary parent in our practice management system.
Automated communications (appointment reminders, emails, SMS) are sent to the contact details of the default primary parent.
Written correspondence (including reports) is usually sent to the referring General Practitioner and, where indicated, to the default primary parent and will be forwarded to both parents providing we have been provided with up to date email contact details.
Shared Parental Responsibility
In line with Australian family law, Hobart Paediatric Group operates on the assumption of joint parental responsibility unless legal documentation states otherwise.
Parents are responsible for exchanging information between themselves.
The clinic does not have the capacity to manage complex, individualised communication arrangements.
Questions or Concerns
If any aspect of this policy presents difficulties for your family, we encourage you to discuss this with our administration team so we can explore reasonable options in the best interests of your child.