FAQS

Behavioural/ Neurodivergent Wellbeing Package

  • We believe in understanding the whole child. We screen for ADHD, ASD, anxiety and mood concerns for all children. If you have a diagnosis with another provider we may send additional screening tools to ensure we have looked at the child through different lens.

  • We meet weekly to triage referrals. The more information provided the greater understanding we have of your needs. We ask for your patience in waiting for an appointment.

    If new information becomes available please forward this through to us.

  • Our Registered Nurse, Cassie will work with you to ensure additional documentation has been collected. This ensures you obtain the most out of your consultation with Heidi.

    This pre-consultation fee confirms a booking and is only offered when we have capacity to see you. It is part of the cost of the overall assessment and is non-refundable.

  • While we value the reports of other paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologist we often require additional information. This will be done as part of the pre-consultation process. It still takes significant time to read reports and get to know your child and the family, thus our appointment times are the same time whether you already are diagnosed or not. However, we do offer a reduced fee (see costs).

  • Initial appointments are approximately 50 minutes and follow up is 25 minutes.

    If you area aware of special circumstances that may require additional time, please make us aware at the time of booking. (ie. medical anxiety, separated families)

    Additional appointments may be needed if longer consultations are needed, explanations of diagnosis or if medication is commenced.

  • It can take time to fully understand your child and the challenges faced. Finding the best support or medication may take some adjusting. We always endeavour to keep costs down for our patients and hand over to Primary Care for ongoing care as soon as comfortable with specialist reviews as required.

  • Once we receive a referral from a health care practitioner or family you will receive a letter of acceptance and a new patient form to complete from our patient management system. Keep an eye on spam just in case! The new patient form expires in a week. Please let us know if you need it resent.

    We receive a large number of referrals. If you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks you are welcome to reach out again to us.

Invoicing and payments

  • Due to our extensive waitlist, payment is required in full 5 business days prior to the appointment or immediately if within 5 business days.

    Our prec-consultation fee for behavioural/neurodivergent wellness package is due within 7 days of an offer. Once this paid we will work with you to confirm a booking to take place WITHIN the next 3 months.

  • We will send your invoice at time of booking. This ensures you have plenty of time to plan or apply for pre-approval if needed.

  • Unfortunately as a small team we are unable to manage this for you. If you are with Southern Cross - our pre-consultation fee is not covered for behavioural assessments. We will apply for pre-approval for the consultations themselves via their portal and keep you informed.

    • Cancellations within 48 business hours of appointment incur 50% fee.

    • Cancellations within 24 business hours of appointment incur 100% fee.

    • Pre-consultation fees are non refundable.

Privacy & Personal Information

  • We utilises Health NZ approved patient management system - ELIXIR and Heidi Health AI (no relation to Dr Heidi). We also use Novopsych for screening tools.

  • Using “Heidi”, our clinicians can focus on communication, listening, observing & interacting with children and their families.  We appreciate our service has a financial cost, and we want you to feel your time and money has been valued.  Less time spent in your appointments distracted by computers & reports enables us to focus on you – let us do that work afterwards!

    Please note we are not affiliated with Heidi Ai and the name is purely a coincidence.

  • Our reports are sent to your GP and the family.

    Communication with allied health, schools and others may require sharing of some information. We always endeavour to discuss with you in advance if we need to contact others.

    Please read carefully our terms and conditions in our new patient form prior to signing.

  • For separated families, please ensure both guardians are aware of appointments. If unable to attend together or share information, please discuss with us prior to appointment.

Existing Patients

  • We aim to send scripts within 24 hours of your appointment. These will be sent to your nominated pharmacy.

  • We aim to send you reports within a week, however, they may take up to a month to complete.

    If you have an urgent need for a report - please discuss with us at the time.

  • Please email us at info@podhealth.nz. We will soon be launching a telephone service.

    Please ensure that you include patient’s full name and date of birth.

    Please note we are unable to give medical advice via emails. We are happy to clarify issues or questions that have been discussed in consults, however if concerns are new an appointment needs to be made.

  • Please email us at scripts@podhealth.nz. We will soon be launching a telephone service.

    Please ensure that you include patient’s full name and date of birth. Also check with your pharmacy that you have no repeats remaining.

    We aim to process scripts for collection on Tuesday’s and Friday’s.

    We are only able to send scripts for medications discussed in consult and reported in your report. New medications require a review consultation.

  • We have 3 slots available: 10 minutes (mobile only), and 25 and 40 minute (via TEAMS or in-clinic).

    If you have not had an appointment in over a year then a 40 minute appointment are generally required.