If you have been referred to one of our medical specialists please bring along any x-rays, scans or MRI films and reports that you have; however if you cannot get these easily or no longer have them, that is okay. This doesn’t apply for psychiatric or psychological appointments. You’ll also need your photo ID and we will ask you to sign a consent form before the assessment proceeds.
Parking is available on site for your convenience. Take a look at the map which shows you where we are.
You have been referred to Next Health by your employer, insurer or legal representative in order to obtain an independent medical opinion. This specialist opinion is designed to help you, and the organisation that referred you, make optimum decisions and understand ‘what’s next’ after injury or illness.
Please wear comfortable, loose clothing so the doctor can access your injured body part. It’s a good idea to wear undergarments to the appointment. Gowns are available.
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you and he/she can sit in during your assessment. However, the person accompanying you cannot participate in the interview/history taking unless specifically requested for information by the specialist. You can also request a chaperone during your examination if you wish.
If you bring children with you please try and bring someone to look after them in the waiting area. This will allow the doctor to concentrate on your examination and what you are saying to him/her.
The assessment will take between 45 minutes and 1½ hours (depending on how complex your case is). It’s best to arrive at your appointment 15 minutes prior to your assessment. This will give you some time to go through the necessary paperwork with our friendly administration staff.
The assessment will consist of history taking, including the circumstances leading to the injury/illness as well as a physical examination (for non-psychiatric/psychological appointments).
The specialist you are seeing has been chosen for you based on their area of expertise and experience. With plenty of notice, it may be possible to change your appointment to a more convenient time so please contact the organisation that referred you to us if the appointment does not suit you. We do have some Saturday appointments available for your convenience.
Your specialist will put together a report using the results of your physical examination (no physical examination required for psychiatric or psychological assessments), as well as your history and any other supporting documentation sent to the doctor.
A thorough report will be written by the specialist who sees you and available to the referrer, usually around 10-15 business days after your appointment.
You can request a copy of the report from the person or company who referred you to us, allowing 2-3 weeks following your review for the report to arrive. A copy of your report is also available to you under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
Next Health specialists are not insurance doctors. Our medical practitioners are independent professionals who undertake reviews for various referral sources, using their expertise in providing quality medical assessments.
This is an assessment done once you have reached maximum medical improvement (that is, you are unlikely to improve further over the next 12 months). The doctor assesses your impairment based on very specific instructions and criteria developed by WorkCover WA (you can find more information at www.workcover.wa.gov.au). If you are being assessed concerning injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, they make the assessment using clinical judgement, radiological tests and suitable impairment/disability guides.