Terms and conditions

Clients are required to sign a copy of these Terms and Conditions to confirm acceptance. You can download a copy from the Client Forms page.

Appointments/Meetings

Each new client will need an assessment appointment. This is usually completed in one session but sometimes it may take two, depending on the complexity of the communication difficulty. During this time, we can both decide if I am the best person to provide the services you need to meet your treatment goals. If speech therapy is commenced, I will usually schedule one session per week at a time we agree on. A session typically lasts one hour (unless otherwise arranged). Clients are usually seen for a minimum of 50 minutes, with 10 minutes for administration of the case. If you must cancel an appointment please call immediately. Except in emergency circumstances, all appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full fee. Missed appointments will also be charged at the full rate unless 24 hours advance notice is given. If you arrive late for an appointment, I will do my best to see you. However, the appointment may be shortened due to time constraints and the full session fee will still apply. Please do not bring any child that does not have an appointment with us (e.g. siblings), unless you have discussed this in advance. If I am unable to attend an appointment, the maximum possible notice will be given and the appointment will be rescheduled.

Professional fees

I will inform you of the charges prior to providing any type of service. Fees apply to various types of services, including direct client contact (office based or offsite), phone consultations, travel, and consultation with other professionals. A current schedule of fees is always available on my website. Fees are subject to annual review. You will be informed one month in advance of any increases.

Billing and payments

Fees for the initial consultation are payable immediately, either by cash or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Dr Graham Williamson. Invoices for further services are issued at the end of each calendar month and payable within 30 days.  A charge of £12 per calendar month will be incurred for late payments. I have no contracts with private health insurers. Any claims from insurance companies are the sole responsibility of the client. If an account has not been paid for more than 60 days and arrangements for payment have not been agreed upon, I have the option of using legal means to secure the payment. In the event that such legal action is necessary, the undersigned person hereby agrees to pay all costs of collection including, but not limited to, court costs and collection agent’s fees.

Data protection

The information we keep and how we use it is governed by our Privacy Policy. Clients will be expected to sign this policy at, or before, initial consultation to indicate their agreement.

Confidentiality

I will only contact you via means that you have specifically authorised. If you would like me to exchange information with persons other than yourself, an Authorisation for Sharing of Information form must be completed. This form can be downloaded from the Client Forms section of my website.

Distribution of reports

I will provide the client or client’s legal guardian with a copy of any reports I write. I will only provide reports and advice to relevant professionals with the consent of the client or parent/guardian. Clients or parents/guardians of clients may send a copy of a report to who they wish, on the understanding that the complete report is distributed and that nothing in the report is altered.

National Health Service (NHS)

If you are ordinarily resident in the UK you are eligible to receive speech and language therapy from your local NHS trust without charge. You are entitled to receive NHS speech therapy at the same time as seeing an independent speech therapist. If you are currently receiving speech therapy from an NHS therapist or are on the NHS waiting list you must inform me. Also, if you have been or are currently being treated by the NHS, it is good practice to inform the relevant NHS Speech Therapy Department of my involvement. You are strongly advised to inform relevant professionals yourself. Where it is considered in your best interests to receive help from more than one speech therapist, one must undertake the lead role in the coordination of case management. This responsibility will be delegated after discussion, and steps will be taken to clarify the nature of the arrangement that has been reached. I will normally inform the relevant NHS Speech Therapy Department that I have seen you, unless you wish for total confidentiality. If you do require total confidentiality (perhaps because you are seeking a confidential second opinion) you must inform me in writing. However, I reserve the right not to see any individual who requests that the NHS is not informed of my involvement. This is because of the possibility of test score invalidation and other possible deleterious effects of dual involvement. Each request will be considered individually.

Contacting me

I am often not immediately available by telephone. While I am usually in my office between 9 am and 5 pm, I will probably not answer the phone when I am with a client. When I am unavailable, my telephone is answered by an answering machine that I monitor frequently. I will make every effort to return your call on the same day you make it, with the exception of weekends and holidays. If you are difficult to reach, please inform me of some times when you will be available.

Termination of services

If you do not keep your financial obligations and remain delinquent on your account for more than 60 days, services will be suspended until payment is received. Services may also be terminated if it is determined that continued participation will be a detriment to the client or their family. You have the right to refuse or terminate services at any time for any reason. I reserve the right to withdraw from delivering services at anytime.

Health policy

Your help and cooperation are required in order to maintain a healthy environment. If a client has vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they should not return to therapy until 24 hours have passed since the last episode of the same. Clients will not be seen if any of the following are present: too ill or uncomfortable to function in the therapy setting; continual runny nose; thick or discoloured nasal discharge; excessive sneezing or coughing with mucus-producing cough; an elevated temperature.

Policy changes

I have the right to revise any terms and conditions, and any privacy policies for all health records, including records kept before policy changes were made. Current clients will be informed of any intended changes before changes are made.

Complaints

If you have any complaints or questions regarding any policies or procedures, please contact me. I will be pleased to help and I will get back to you in a timely manner. If you believe your privacy has not been maintained please also contact me directly. I will fully investigate any concerns and seriously consider any suggestions you have for improving the services we provide. If you are not satisfied with the manner in which this office handles any complaint, you may submit a formal complaint to: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2 White Hart Yard, London SE1 1NX. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint with either Dr Graham Williamson or the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.