At Physio Group South West, the welfare of our Clients is our number one priority. Our informed consent policy is in place to protect our clients as well as our physiotherapists.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

1. Written consent should be obtained from the appropriate ‘consent giver’. For a child under the age of 18, written consent should be provided by the child’s parent or legal guardian. “Informed Consent Form”
2. For a client with cognitive impairment, written consent may be provided by the client’s carer.  “Informed Consent Form”
3. Children from the age of 14 to 17 are deemed to have a developing capacity to give consent to their own healthcare. For children in this age bracket, the health professional should therefore seek consent from both the child and the parent or legal guardian.  “Informed Consent Form”
4. PGSW requires Physiotherapists to have a parent, legal guardian or caregiver present at all times during treatment of persons under 16. 

MASSAGE THERAPY

1. In Western Australia, a minor is legally defined as a person less than 18 years of age for massage therapy.
2. Consent will be obtained from the appropriate ‘consent giver’. For a child under the age of 18, written consent should be provided by the child’s parent or legal guardian.
3. PGSW requires Massage Therapists to have a parent, legal guardian or caregiver present at all times during treatment of persons under 18.

4. Massage therapists are not currently captured by the West Australian Working with Children Act.  A Working with Children criminal check would only apply to massage therapists who are employed in child-related settings, such as childcare centres, schools and pediatric wards, in which case a Working with Children Check would be required.