BUZZ A MIDWIFE

CLIENT SERVICE AGREEMENT

Antenatal and Postnatal Home Visit Services

This Client Service Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between:

Buzz a Midwife (“the Midwife”) and The Client (as identified in the booking form).

By engaging services, the Client agrees to the following terms and conditions.

1. Scope of Services

1.1 The Midwife provides private antenatal and postnatal midwifery services conducted in the Client’s home within the agreed service area.

1.2 Services may include, but are not limited to: • Routine antenatal assessments (including blood pressure monitoring and abdominal palpation) • Review of clinical results • Education regarding pregnancy, birth, and newborn care • Birth planning discussions • Maternal postnatal assessment • Newborn wellbeing checks and weight monitoring • Infant feeding support • Emotional wellbeing screening and support • Referral to other health providers where clinically indicated

1.3 The Midwife does not provide intrapartum care, labour attendance, birth services, or home birth services.

1.4 Services provided under this Agreement are complementary to, and do not replace, hospital-based or medical maternity care. The Client remains responsible for maintaining their booking and engagement with their chosen hospital, GP, or obstetric provider.

1.5 Where clinical findings indicate the need for medical review, the Midwife will recommend referral to an appropriate medical practitioner or hospital. In urgent or emergency situations, the Client agrees to contact their maternity unit or emergency services (000).

2. Client Responsibilities

2.1 The Client agrees to: • Provide accurate personal, medical, and contact information

• Maintain appropriate hospital or primary maternity care arrangements • Provide clear access instructions for home visits • Provide adequate parking facilities during home visits • Ensure a safe, clean, smoke-free environment for appointments • Secure pets unless otherwise agreed • Provide adequate space and lighting for clinical assessments

2.2 The Midwife reserves the right to discontinue or reschedule a visit if the environment is deemed unsafe.

3. Nature of Midwifery Care

The Client acknowledges and understands that:

3.1 Midwifery care includes clinical assessments, monitoring of maternal and fetal wellbeing, health education, screening discussions, care planning, and coordination.

3.2 Recommendations are based on current clinical guidelines, professional standards, and clinical judgement.

3.3 Pregnancy and the postnatal period carry inherent risks, and not all complications can be predicted, prevented, or detected.

3.4 Midwifery care does not replace hospital-based emergency services.

3.5 The Client has the right to accept or decline any recommended care.

4. Collaboration, Referral and Transfer of Care

4.1 If complications, risk factors, or abnormal findings arise, the Client may be referred to a GP, obstetrician, emergency department, hospital service, or allied health provider in accordance with the National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral.

4.2 Referral may occur for, but is not limited to: • Gestational diabetes • Hypertensive disorders • Suspected fetal growth restriction • Preterm labour risk • Mental health concerns • Complex medical conditions • Abnormal screening or investigation results

4.3 The referral process includes discussion, consent, written referral, and documentation.

4.4 Care may be transferred if: • The Client’s risk status changes

• Clinical complexity exceeds private antenatal/postnatal scope • The Client elects hospital-led care

5. Emergency Escalation

5.1 The Client acknowledges that this practice does not provide emergency or birth services.

5.2 In urgent situations, the Client agrees to: • Call 000 for life-threatening emergencies • Attend the nearest public hospital • Contact their GP or obstetric provider

5.3 Immediate medical review is required for symptoms including: • Heavy vaginal bleeding • Severe abdominal pain • Reduced or absent fetal movements • Signs of preterm labour • Severe headache with visual disturbance • Fever with systemic symptoms • Chest pain or shortness of breath

5.4 The Midwife may recommend urgent hospital assessment where clinical findings fall outside normal parameters.

6. Telehealth Consent

6.1 Telehealth consultations may be conducted via telephone or secure video platform.

6.2 The Client acknowledges that: • Telehealth is not a replacement for emergency care • Physical examination is limited and they continue to seek routine physical check ups by their healthcare provider • Technical issues may interrupt consultation • The Client is responsible for ensuring privacy at their location

6.3 The Client consents to receiving telehealth midwifery care and understands its limitations.

7. Fees, Payment and Medicare Rebates

7.1 Fees are as outlined at the time of booking and may be updated with notice.

7.2 Payment is required as specified at booking. Some appointments may require prepayment or deposit.

7.3 Outstanding balances must be paid within seven (7) days of the appointment and must be finalised prior to scheduling further appointments.

7.4 Where eligible, telehealth services may be bulk billed to Medicare. Medicare rebates are subject to current Medicare legislation, eligibility criteria, and receipt of appropriate referral documentation where required.

7.5 The Client acknowledges that eligibility for Medicare rebates is determined by Medicare and not guaranteed by the Midwife.

8. Cancellation Policy

8.1 A minimum of twenty-four (24) hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule a home visit appointment.

8.2 Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, or failure to provide access at the scheduled time, may incur a cancellation fee of up to 100% of the appointment fee.

8.3 Telemidwife appointments that are bulk billed may result in restriction of future telehealth bookings if repeated non-attendance or late cancellation occurs.

8.4 Exceptions may be considered in cases of labour onset, hospital admission, medical emergency, or at the discretion of the Midwife.

8.5 If the Midwife must reschedule due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, the Client will be offered the next available appointment without penalty.

9. Privacy and Confidentiality

9.1 The Midwife collects, uses, stores, and manages personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

9.2 Information collected may include identifying details, medical and obstetric history, Medicare information, and clinical records relevant to care provision.

9.3 Information is collected for the purposes of providing safe midwifery care, managing appointments, processing Medicare claims (where applicable), facilitating referrals, and complying with legal and professional obligations.

9.4 Personal information will not be disclosed without the Client’s consent except where required or authorised by law, including mandatory reporting obligations, or where necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to life, health, or safety.

9.5 Health records are stored securely using encrypted digital systems and are retained in accordance with applicable health records legislation.

9.6 The Client may request access to their health information in writing in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

10. Limitation of Services

10.1 Services are limited to antenatal and postnatal care within the Midwife’s professional scope of practice.

10.2 The Midwife does not provide home birth services or emergency obstetric care and is not responsible for hospital-based clinical decisions