Terms and Conditions
Standards
The Speech Therapist, Susan Laughlen, is employed as an independent practitioner. She agrees to abide by the ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’ & ‘Standards of Proficiency (Speech and Language Therapist) as specified by the registering body, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
SERVICES
Initial Assessment
The Speech Therapist agrees to undertake an initial assessment of the needs of the client and his/her family and/or carers. 1-3 hours is required for an initial assessment and is charged at the professional hourly rate in addition to travel costs. Where possible this assessment will be carried out in one visit. However, this is not always possible and so a second visit and subsequent travel costs may be required.
A detailed report can be provided following this that will outline proposed therapy. Depending on the areas addressed, report writing can take up to 4 hours and is charged at the professional hourly rate. Recommendations based on professional opinion will be discussed with the instructing party and further input agreed prior to starting the next episode of work. If instruction is not received within 8 weeks of receiving the initial report then I cannot guarantee I will be able to carry out the work required.
Update reports
Update reports are provided by request and are detailed reports reflecting the progress made by the client along with predicted ongoing needs and input. Regular update reports can be carried out if requested. Please note that time incurred for this will be charged at the professional hourly rate.
Administrative Activities All activities related to the client will be charged at the professional hourly rate including: report writing; maintaining records as required professionally (and in line with the Data Protection Act); client related liaison by telephone, letter and email, and research. These will be kept to a minimum where possible but must ensure standards are maintained. In order to provide an overview of therapy sessions and to facilitate team working with other professionals targets will be shared. This is free of charge unless the time taken exceeds 15 minutes. In this case any additional time is charged at the professional hourly rate.
Hours of work
My usual working hours are Monday to Thursday from 9am – 5pm. However, I am able to work outside of these hours by prior arrangement if required.
Complaints
If you have any concerns, please do of course contact me so that I may attempt to work with you to rectify these. If, however I am not able to remedy the issue you may choose to contact the Health Professions Council [HCPC] or my professional body the RCSLT
Fees
See the fees page above for full detail.
Professional input is shown on detailed time sheets and billed as metric equivalent in 6 minute blocks if required although the time is almost always agreed in advance. Mileage is calculated to the nearest mile using Google maps. Where possible mileage is combined with other clients to reduce costs.
Payment Terms
Payment of all invoices is due upon receipt of invoice.
The Speech Therapist understands and will exercise her right to interest under the Late Payment Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 if payment is not received according to the agreed credit terms. This is calculated at up to 8% above the Base Rate. The therapist reserves the right to cease all work in the event that payment is not made in accordance with the above.
Cancellations
Cancellation of appointments less than 24 hours in advance (weekends not included) will incur 50% of anticipated costs (professional time). Cancellations less than 12 hours in advance will incur 100% of the anticipated costs, unless the Speech Therapist is able to fill the time with any other fee paying work.
The Speech Therapist, Susan Laughlen, is employed as an independent practitioner. She agrees to abide by the ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’ & ‘Standards of Proficiency (Speech and Language Therapist) as specified by the registering body, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
SERVICES
Initial Assessment
The Speech Therapist agrees to undertake an initial assessment of the needs of the client and his/her family and/or carers. 1-3 hours is required for an initial assessment and is charged at the professional hourly rate in addition to travel costs. Where possible this assessment will be carried out in one visit. However, this is not always possible and so a second visit and subsequent travel costs may be required.
A detailed report can be provided following this that will outline proposed therapy. Depending on the areas addressed, report writing can take up to 4 hours and is charged at the professional hourly rate. Recommendations based on professional opinion will be discussed with the instructing party and further input agreed prior to starting the next episode of work. If instruction is not received within 8 weeks of receiving the initial report then I cannot guarantee I will be able to carry out the work required.
Update reports
Update reports are provided by request and are detailed reports reflecting the progress made by the client along with predicted ongoing needs and input. Regular update reports can be carried out if requested. Please note that time incurred for this will be charged at the professional hourly rate.
Administrative Activities All activities related to the client will be charged at the professional hourly rate including: report writing; maintaining records as required professionally (and in line with the Data Protection Act); client related liaison by telephone, letter and email, and research. These will be kept to a minimum where possible but must ensure standards are maintained. In order to provide an overview of therapy sessions and to facilitate team working with other professionals targets will be shared. This is free of charge unless the time taken exceeds 15 minutes. In this case any additional time is charged at the professional hourly rate.
Hours of work
My usual working hours are Monday to Thursday from 9am – 5pm. However, I am able to work outside of these hours by prior arrangement if required.
Complaints
If you have any concerns, please do of course contact me so that I may attempt to work with you to rectify these. If, however I am not able to remedy the issue you may choose to contact the Health Professions Council [HCPC] or my professional body the RCSLT
Fees
See the fees page above for full detail.
Professional input is shown on detailed time sheets and billed as metric equivalent in 6 minute blocks if required although the time is almost always agreed in advance. Mileage is calculated to the nearest mile using Google maps. Where possible mileage is combined with other clients to reduce costs.
Payment Terms
Payment of all invoices is due upon receipt of invoice.
The Speech Therapist understands and will exercise her right to interest under the Late Payment Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 if payment is not received according to the agreed credit terms. This is calculated at up to 8% above the Base Rate. The therapist reserves the right to cease all work in the event that payment is not made in accordance with the above.
Cancellations
Cancellation of appointments less than 24 hours in advance (weekends not included) will incur 50% of anticipated costs (professional time). Cancellations less than 12 hours in advance will incur 100% of the anticipated costs, unless the Speech Therapist is able to fill the time with any other fee paying work.