1.0 Eligibility

There is no predetermined list of conditions for which a natural medicine can be prescribed. Some conditions for which patients have been approved to access natural medicine include chronic pain, anxiety, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Palliative Care, Adjunct treatment to some cancer treatments, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy and a number of others.

Patients are advised that booking a consultation with a Doctor or talking to one of our nurses does not guarantee access to natural medicine. Each Patient is different, and the doctor will undertake a full history and review your past and current treatments to determine if this therapy is right for you. If deemed appropriate, the Doctor will then apply for relevant state and federal approvals so a prescription can be issued. Patients are able to access natural medicine products in Australia only after such approvals have been received.

2.0 Access to your Health Data, Privacy Policy & Use of email

Please be aware that we will need to collect and store information on your medical history and condition.

As part of the application process for accessing natural medicine, we may also need to contact your other treating doctors to discuss your medical history and / or retrieve your records from them. The circumstances in which we will collect, use, and store your personal information are detailed in our privacy policy. By using our services you agree to our privacy policy.

Please note by using email to communicate with us then acknowledge that email and the internet is not considered a secure means of transmitting personally sensitive information and Greenhouse Medical Clinic cannot guarantee the security of personal information transmitted by email and does not take any responsibility for any privacy breaches resulting from the use of email to transmit your personal information.

Greenhouse Medical Clinic is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988, and we are committed to complying with all applicable privacy laws.

We will collect your personal information for the purpose of providing you with health care and directly related purposes, including but not limited to:

For use by a multidisciplinary treating team;
In an emergency where your life is at risk and you cannot consent;
To maintain medical records as required under our policies and by law; or
For other purposes required or permitted by law.

Personal information may be shared between Greenhouse Medical Clinic staff, associates, and employees, administration staff and contracted third parties administration, nurses, doctors and other health professionals. Greenhouse Medical Clinic and other health care facilities and providers to coordinate your care. Greenhouse Medical Clinic, its admin staff, nurses and doctors use or disclose your personal information to third parties to customise and deliver information to you about your care or future health needs under the premise that:

You have consented;
The use or disclosure is for a purpose directly related to providing you with health care and you would expect us to use or disclose your personal information in this way;
We have told you that we will disclose your personal information to other organisations or persons; or
We are permitted or required to do so by law.

Your information will be collected directly from you, unless in the event of an emergency, it may be collected from a relative or other health care provider.

You have the right to access your personal information. You can also request to amend your information should you believe it contains inaccurate information.

3.0 Safety, driving and operating machinery.

Patients receiving cannabinoid medication must NOT drive, work at heights, operate heavy machinery, or work in situations where intact reaction times are critical for safety while under the influence of natural medicine.
Patients should be aware that it may be a criminal offence to drive while natural medicine is detectable in their system. Patients should seek their own advice in this regard.

4.0 Patients must NOT drive or operate machinery while medicating with natural medicine.

4.1 Measurable concentrations of certain natural medicines- can be detected in urine many days after the last dose. It may take up to five days for 80 to 90 percent of the dose to be excreted. Drug-driving is a criminal offence. The signing of this document provides that you acknowledge and accept that you are solely responsible for your own safety and that of others around you.

4.2 You agree to use natural medicine in accordance with the directions and all applicable laws and regulations. Greenhouse Medical Clinic and or the pharmacy / dispensary of the natural medicine is not liable for any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of your use of natural medicine, including any incidents that may occur while operating machinery or driving a vehicle.

4. 3 I understand that the sale or distribution of patient prescription natural medicine is illegal and may result in the termination as a Patient of Greenhouse Medical Clinic.

4.4 Patients accessing natural medicine should seek their doctor’s advice before consuming natural medicine in conjunction with any other medication or substance.

4.5 Most cannabinoid medications are not currently registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia and are only available on a case-by-case basis under the Special Access Scheme. This means that unregistered cannabinoid medications have not been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or approved through formal clinical trials and are still considered untested.

4.6 Natural medicine treatments are experimental medications in Australia, and are expected to have varying efficacy and (known and unknown) potential side effects. Patients undergoing this treatment acknowledge that Greenhouse Medical Clinic is not responsible and/or liable for efficacy and/or the potential effect(s) (including side effects, or lack of effects) of these medications, that are unique for each patient.

4.7 Prescribed natural medicine medications are regulated medicines that are free from contaminants such as heavy metals, parasites and pesticides through rigid third party testing.

4.8 Greenhouse Medical Clinic is unable to facilitate a refund for the medical consultation after a Doctor appointment has occurred, or when cancellation requests are 24 hours prior to this consultation.

5.0 Informed financial consent

Fees taken by Greenhouse Medical Clinic are for the cost of the medical consultation. Further costs may relate to processing, and dispatching of medication, in addition to further clinical consultations. Patients will have been notified of any upfront costs prior to the service and may choose to opt out of this service. Please be aware that these consultations and services are not subject to a Medicare rebate and Greenhouse Medical Clinic makes no guarantees that you will be able to claim back any costs from a private healthcare service provider.

6.0 Scope of services provided

Greenhouse Medical Clinic doctors and nurses (Registered Medical Professionals) have experience and further training in prescribing and monitoring therapies using natural medicine. Greenhouse Medical Clinic will work in conjunction with your general practitioner, specialist and other health practitioners but is not a replacement for those services. Patients must obtain their own medical advice in relation to the management of their condition.

7.0 Patient Conduct

This code outlines the expected standard of behaviour for all patients. By attending a Telehealth consultation, you are agreeing to uphold this standard and failure to comply may result in discharge as a patient of Greenhouse Medical Clinic.

Greenhouse Medical Clinic strictly adheres to TGA and Government Medical Guidelines to ensure safety and wellbeing of all our patients.

The attempted negotiation of Schedule 8 Medication and or the terms of it's dispensing, with any of the clinic's staff is strictly prohibited. Such behaviour will result in discharge as a patient of Greenhouse Medical Clinic.

Our practice has a duty to provide a safe physical and psychological environment free from aggression, abuse, intimidation, swearing or any abusive language, racism for both staff and pharmacists who work closely with Greenhouse Medical Clinic. Behaviour others may find bullying or threatening, or contains the use of swearing or abusive language may result in discharge as a patient of Greenhouse Medical Clinic, after an initial warning.

I understand that I will be provided with one warning, and failure to adhere to Patient Conduct outlined in the T&C's following that warning will result in the discharge as a patient of Greenhouse Medical Clinic.

I agree the GP may need me to return if my appointment length is not sufficient for multiple problems. I accept any appointment times offered to me are what is available.

I agree that the Greenhouse Medical doctor may require a medical certificate or letter from a currently treating specialist doctor (e.g. psychiatrist, cardiologist etc) or GP, to sign off on the prescription of natural medicine.

I agree to follow the direction of health service staff, which may include being asked to abide by government directives.

I agree the practice may have fees for services which I receive and payment may be expected on the day.

I understand running behind is sometimes out of the GP’s control as they may have unexpected, complicated consultations which run over-time.

I agree to cancel appointments I cannot attend with as much notice as possible. This will allow other waiting patients to receive medical treatment. I understand that if I consistently fail to attend appointments which I have made, I may be asked to seek healthcare elsewhere.

In return our practice will treat each patient with respect and professionalism.

8.0 Confirmation of Consultation

Greenhouse Medical Clinic will send out an SMS text or contact the patient via a phone call to confirm the appointment the day before the consultation. If the patient does not respond GHM reserves the right to cancel the appointment to make it available for other patients in need of an appointment. Please be advised that we are concerned with the well being of our patients and in accordance, the office will make several attempts to contact the patient via phone prior to the appointment cancellation.

9.0 Late or NON payment.

GHM reserves the right to cancel an UNPAID consultation 24 hours prior.

Late payment will result in a delay of the issue of scripts by up to a week.

10.0 Adverse events and efficacy

Patients with neurological conditions may be more likely to experience negative effects from natural medicine. Although there may be some evidence to suggest a benefit from natural medicine treatment for one condition or symptom, this does not mean it will have benefits for other conditions, even with the same product and the same dose. There is very limited evidence to show how natural medicine reacts with other approved medications.

Costs

The cost of natural medicine products can vary from $30 to $100 per patient per week, depending on the nature of the condition being treated, the product required and the dosage of the required product. Natural medicine products are not currently subsidised by the Commonwealth Government. Some Health insurers may pay a portion of your prescription costs.

Importance of regular consultations to:

1. Carefully assess the patient treatment progress and outcomes and monitor tolerance.

2. Monitor interactions between natural medicine and other treatments

3. Assess liver function when deciding to continue or stop treatment.

Dosing

The dosing of natural medicine is highly individualised and relies on titration.

Changes to medication doses to achieve the best clinical response is known as drug titration. Drug titration is a way for clinicians to personalise medication doses so that patients can obtain the intended benefits of the treatment of their illness while minimising side effects.

A patient's age, current health conditions, medications, hepatic and renal function, may all play a part in achieving the optimal specific therapeutic dose for an individual.

Higher doses of THC are associated with an increased risk of adverse effects

natural medicine naïve patients are likely to experience adverse effect sooner and potentially at a lower dose. Cessation of therapy should occur should the patient experience intolerable side effects (eg. psychosis, increased heart rate, agitation, anxiety, loss of coordination). During the titration period the number and timing of dose will vary between patients.

Commence natural medicine oil at a starting dose once to twice daily.
Increase after a 3-7 day trial of each dosage.
The optimal dose is the lowest dose that achieves the highest benefit during the titration period.
The optimal dose will vary from patient to patient, and should be determined by slow titration from a low dose.
This dose should be maintained during treatment.
Re-titration (up or down) may be required depending on any changes to the patient’s concurrent medications, or any tolerance or adverse events.Determining the optimal dose, with maximum effectiveness and minimal adverse effects, is best achieved working closely together with Greenhouse medical team, regularly monitoring the patient’s response.

Natural medicine is not appropriate for:

Patients with an active or previous psychotic or active mood or anxiety disorder
Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
People with unstable cardiovascular disease.
Although there may be some evidence to suggest a benefit from
Patients who have severe and unstable cardiopulmonary disease •
Patients who have a previous or current psychosis condition
Patients with neurological conditions may be more likely to experience negative effects from natural medicine.

Although there may be some evidence to suggest a benefit from natural medicine treatment for one condition or symptom, this does not mean it will have benefits for other conditions, even with the same product and the same dose.

There is very limited evidence to show how natural medicine reacts with other approved medications.

11.0 The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not rely on the information on this website as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 000 immediately.

12. Definitions and terms and conditions pertaining to 2 hour scripts

2 hour scripts - Consult additional Terms and Conditions.

*All medications are dispensed through Surfers Paradise Chempro within 2 hours of the submission of the Patient Application and Consent Form. This charge is for the cost of the medical consultation only.

The period of time 2 hours is an arbitrary period and neither Greenhouse Medical Clinic or Surfers Chempro can be held liable for any such delays caused by unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to power or internet outages, rejection or delays of TGA paperwork, request for further medical documentation from a medical practitioner, and or patient eligibility for medical cannabis treatments in question.

13. The use of the name Greenhouse Medical Clinic rfers to Greenhouse Medical Clinic and Biolabs Pty Ltd.

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Greenhouse Medical Clinic is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988, and we are committed to complying with all applicable privacy laws.

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