Appendix 9 - Interim procedure for independant medical opinions
- An external
opinion forwarded to GSL or DIMIA must be brought to the attention of the International
Health and Medical Services (IHMS) Health Services Manager (and also Professional
Support Services (PSS) where the opinion relates to mental health) for
immediate forwarding to the detainee’s treating physician (ie the General
Practitioner, and Medical Specialist and/or the treating Psychiatrist). Where
the external opinion received is at odds with the detainee’s care plan and the
detainee’s treating practitioner/s do not have the same clinical and
professional qualification as the person who has provided the external opinion
(for example, where a psychiatrist has provided an opinion and the detainee has
not been assessed by a psychiatrist but is being treated by a psychologist)
arrangements must be made immediately to have the detainee assessed at the same
level of clinical and professional qualification as the person who has provided
the external opinion.
- Where IHMS is
provided directly with an opinion from an external medical service provider
that is at odds with the health care plan developed for the detainee, DIMIA
must be notified immediately.
- Written
confirmation of receipt of the opinion and advice that this will be referred to
the detainee’s treating doctor
must be provided to the person who provided the external opinion.
- The detainee’s
treating doctor must be
requested to review the individual detainee’s health care plan in light of the
opinion provided. The treating doctor is under no obligation to follow the alternative advice. However, the
treating Doctor’s opinion and advice (drawing on specialist advice as
necessary) as to the impact on the current treatment plan and an explanation
for any divergence from the recommended course of action suggested by the
external party must be noted on the detainee’s medical file.
- Where the detainee’s
treating Doctor has an alternative view to that expressed by an external
medical services provider, the Department must be advised in writing
within seven working days so that a review of the detainee and all
relevant material can be sought from a suitably qualified independent party
(for example a Health Services Australia medical practitioner).[1223]
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