Terms of Use

1. Dot Doctor Pty Ltd, trading as “Dot Doctor” (Dot Doctor, we, us or our) owns and operates the Dot Doctor website, accessible at www.bulkbilling.doctor (the Platform) which facilitates connecting you to independent Australian registered general medical practitioners (Practitioners) who render on-demand telephone-based primary healthcare services to their patients (Telehealth Services). Your use of this Platform and the provision of Telehealth Services is subject to the following terms and conditions (Terms of Use). Each time you access the Platform or receive Telehealth Services, you agree to be bound to all of the Terms of Use and the Dot Doctor privacy policy available at bulkbilling.doctor/privacy, (Privacy Policy) as may be updated by us from time to time. If you do not agree with these Terms of Use, you must immediately cease using the Platform and any Telehealth Services.
2. Dot Doctor reserves the right to amend these Terms of Use from time to time. You should check this page each time you access the Platform and receive Telehealth Services and take notice of any changes we may have made to the Terms of Use. Your continued use of the Platform and any Telehealth Services is deemed to be acceptance of the amended Terms of Use.
3. You must not act in any way which breaches these Terms of Use or abuse or misuse the Platform or Telehealth Services in any way including by engaging in illegal or fraudulent activities, supplying or attempting to supply false or misleading information or using the Platform and the Telehealth Services for any other purposes than as intended. If you breach these Terms of Use, Dot Doctor will immediately terminate the provision of any Telehealth Services and/or cancel your registration on the Platform. Dot Doctor reserves the right to cancel your registration on the Platform at our sole discretion, without prior notice.

Dot Doctor

1. Dot Doctor is not a provider of healthcare services and does not render medical or healthcare services or advice. All Telehealth Services accessed through our Platform are rendered by Practitioners who utilise the Platform to offer Telehealth Services to patients. All Practitioners rendering Telehealth Services utilising the Platform are registered Australian medical practitioners. Dot Doctor does not represent or guarantee that the Practitioners will hold any additional qualifications or specialist knowledge.
2. By using the Platform to receive Telehealth Services from a Practitioner, you acknowledge and agree that your clinical relationship is established directly and solely with that Practitioner which is independent of Dot Doctor. It is important to understand that the Platform serves as a gateway to connect you with Practitioners. However, the responsibility for your medical care lies solely with the independent Practitioner you consult with. Dot Doctor provides no warranty or guarantee as to quality or clinical appropriateness of any of the medical services rendered by the Practitioners providing Telehealth Services or otherwise through the Platform and we exclude, to the extent permitted by law, any liability for any injury, loss or damage suffered by you in connection with the medical services or any other advice or treatment or referrals rendered by a Practitioner providing Telehealth Services.

Telehealth Services

1. Telehealth is a convenient way for patients to obtain access to video and telephone based medical services for straightforward and non-emergency medical needs from the comfort of their own homes without the need for in-person visits to healthcare facilities. The Telehealth Services provided through the Platform are not suitable for serious medical conditions or situations requiring immediate or urgent treatment Instead, contact emergency services or visit the nearest healthcare facility without delay.
2. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING CHEST PAIN, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES, OR HAVE BEEN INJURED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, OR OTHERWISE REQUIRE IMMEDIATE OR URGENT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY OR ATTEND YOUR NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
3. There are some circumstances that a Practitioner may be unable to properly assess and treat your symptoms by telephone or video. In such circumstances, the Practitioner may suggest that you attend a nearby medical centre for a physical assessment. Any decision in this regard is a matter of clinical judgment and professional expertise of the Practitioner and Dot Doctor does not warrant or guarantee the nature of any treatment rendered by a Practitioner via the Telehealth Services. No workers compensation, medico-legal assessments, motor vehicle accident assessments or other assessments requiring a physical examination or extended assessment will be provided via Telehealth Services.
4. Telehealth Services are only available for patients that are located in Australia. You must not use the Platform to procure Telehealth Services if you are outside of Australia.

Consultations

1. Once registered on our Platform, you will be eligible to request the provision of Telehealth Services from an available Practitioner by a video or telephone consultation (Consultation). 
2. Whilst Dot Doctor endeavours to ensure Practitioners are available to render Telehealth Services between 7am to 11 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (Operating Hours) 7 days a week, we make no guarantee regarding the availability of Telehealth Services at any time or the wait time for Consultations.
3. A patient may end a Consultation at any time. Practitioners may discontinue a Consultation at any time or otherwise have the discretion to withhold or decline to provide treatment for reasons they consider reasonable or clinically appropriate.
4. If you suffer any hearing impairment, you are responsible for any hearing assistance required for a Consultation utilising the Telehealth Services. Dot Doctor is unable to provide any translation services during Consultations.

Patient information and history

1. To ensure the effectiveness of the Telehealth Services, it is crucial that you provide complete and truthful answers to all questions asked during the Consultation to ensure the appropriateness of treatment and medication. Open and honest communication is essential in ensuring optimal healthcare outcomes. 
2. You agree to respond to all questions asked by the Practitioner during the Consultation process. Your accurate and comprehensive answers will assist in determining the most appropriate course of treatment for your condition. 
3. You agree to provide accurate and thorough information in your responses and not to omit any relevant information. This includes sharing relevant medical history, symptoms, medications, and any other pertinent details required to assess your condition properly. By being transparent, you contribute to a more accurate evaluation and subsequent treatment plan. 
4. It is important to inform the Practitioner about any new symptoms or worsening of your condition that has occurred since your last attendance with a medical practitioner. 
5. Timely reporting of changes in your health status enables the Practitioner to make informed decisions regarding your ongoing care and treatment.

Health records

1. By participating in a Consultation, you acknowledge and agree that the Practitioner (and Dot Doctor on behalf of the Practitioner) may forward to you by email a summary of your attendance.
3. Our medical practitioners may share your medical records with other health practitioners such as pharmacist, own GP, health provider etc.  You consent to this sharing of medical information, in the interest of your health care and well being.  

Medications and other treatments

1. Dot Doctor does not warrant or guarantee the safety, appropriateness, or effectiveness of any specific medication or treatment prescribed by a Practitioner during a Consultation. While our Platform facilitates the provision of healthcare services and consultations, it is important to understand that the decision to prescribe medication or recommend a particular treatment is made by the Practitioner based on their clinical judgment and professional assessment of your specific circumstances.
2.  It is essential that you discuss any concerns or questions you may have about medications or treatments with the Practitioner during your Consultation. They are best positioned to provide you with information and guidance based on their expertise and knowledge.
3. Should you experience any noticeable side-affects from any medications prescribed during the Telehealth Service, you should immediately schedule a further Telehealth Service or attend your regular general practice or medical centre as soon as possible.
4. S8 (narcotic) or S4D (restricted substance) medicines will not be prescribed during Telehealth Services. These include Alprazolam, Codeine painkillers (including Panadeine Forte), Concerta, Dexamphetamine, Diazepam, Duromine, Endone, Gabapentin, Lyrica, Modafinil, Oxazepam, Pregabalin, Ritalin, Seroqual, Stilnox, Steroids, Temazepam, Tramadol, Valium, Vyvanse and Zolpidem.
5. You acknowledge and understand that a Practitioner has the absolute discretion to refuse prescribing medication, issuing repeat prescriptions, or providing any other services or referrals requested by you. The decision to prescribe medication or provide specific services is based on the clinical judgment and professional assessment of the Practitioner, considering factors such as your medical condition, history, and the appropriateness of the requested services.
6. By participating in a Consultation, you acknowledge and agree to be contacted in the event that any results from a pathology or imaging test are received by a Practitioner which require a follow up discussion. It may be that a further Consultation is required to discuss the results received in which case you will be invited to request a further Consultation on the Platform. All appointments, including follow up appointments about results are fully bulk billed.
7. To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for any third-party services provided in response to requests (such as pathology tests or imaging requests) or other specialist referrals or any medication prescriptions made by a Practitioner arising from a Consultation.

Medical Certificates

1. Where clinically appropriate, Practitioners may render a medical certificate. However, Practitioners are unable to provide backdated medical certificates or medical certificates for 3 days or more.

Medicare Benefits

1. In agreeing to use the Dot Doctor Platform you agree to assign your right to Medicare benefits for services to the Service Provider who rendered the service. Your Service Provider will submit a bulk billing claim to Medicare on your behalf after each appointment that you attend. 

Prohibition

1. You must not misuse the Platform or Dot Doctor website or mobile app. You will not:
   (a) commit or encourage a criminal offense;
   (b) transmit or distribute a virus, trojan, worm, logic bomb or any other material which is malicious, technologically harmful, in breach of confidence or in any way offensive or obscene;
   (c) hack into any aspect of the Platform, corrupt data, cause annoyance to other users;
   (d) infringe upon the rights of any other person’s proprietary rights;
   (e) send any unsolicited advertising or promotional material, commonly referred to as “spam”.
2. Breaching this provision would constitute a criminal offense and will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities and disclose your identity to them.
3. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Dot Doctor, its directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents, and affiliates, from any and all third party claims, liability, damages or costs (including, but not limited to, legal fees) arising from your use of this website or your breach of the Terms of Use.

Disclaimer of Liability

1. Nothing in these Terms of Use is intended to exclude, restrict, or modify any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy that is conferred on you by the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law. These guarantees, rights, and remedies cannot be excluded, restricted, or modified by agreement.
2. Any information or contents on the Dot Doctor website or mobile app is not intended to be medical advice. Any information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. The website should only be viewed as current at the time of first publication. You cannot rely on the content of this website as medical advice and we exclude, to the extent permitted by law, any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of, or reliance on, the information contained on the Platform. Subject to any non-excludable consumer guarantees and other consumer protection provisions set out in the Australian Consumer Law, the material displayed on this website or mobile app is provided without any guarantees, conditions or warranties as to its accuracy.
3. Dot Doctor does not make any representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property rights or any other rights concerning the Platform or any medical or health-related matters. Dot Doctor also does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, free from viruses, or free from other factors that may interfere with the normal operation of your system. By using the Platform, you release Dot Doctor from all liability concerning the provision of health and medical services by Practitioners which are facilitated through the Platform. Dot Doctor will not be held liable for any loss, damage, expense, or claim arising from the actions or omissions of the Practitioner and you release Dot Doctor from any liability related to such claims. Neither Dot Doctor nor any Practitioner is responsible for any loss or damage arising from your failure to provide accurate or complete information or comply with your obligations under these Terms of Use. Dot Doctor will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to inform any other healthcare provider about the treatment received from Practitioner via the Telehealth Service.
4. To the extent permitted by law, Dot Doctor expressly excludes all warranties and other terms which might otherwise be implied by statute, common law or the law of equity and must not be liable for any damages whatsoever, including but without limitation to any or indirect loss of profit, loss of opportunity, incidental, consequential, or special damages, regardless of whether such loss was foreseeable or not. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Dot Doctor’ liability will be limited to providing the Telehealth Services again (or the cost of having the Telehealth Services provided).
5. We will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a distributed denial-of-service attack, viruses or other technologically harmful material that may infect your computer equipment, computer programs, data or other proprietary material due to your use of this website or mobile app to your downloading of any material posted on it, or on any linked sites.

Links to external website and third party content

1. The Platform may contain links to third party websites or third-party content, and also advertisements that contain embedded links. You should be aware that when you use these links, you leave the Dot Doctor website. The inclusion of any link does not imply that we endorse the linked site or material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service. Views or recommendations provided in linked external website do not necessarily reflect our views. It is your responsibility to make your own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of information contained in linked external website. We do not accept any responsibility for information provided on any external website.

Intellectual Property

1. The Platform and all content on the Platform is subject to copyright and other intellectual property rights. We retain all right, title and interest in and to the Dot Doctor name and trade mark, the Platform including all content on the website and mobile application except where expressly stated to the contrary. Nothing that you do on or in relation to the Platform will transfer any intellectual property rights subsisting in the Dot Doctor name and trade mark, the Platform including all content on the website and mobile application to you or to any third party.
2. Except as provided in these Terms of Use, any use or copying of the website or mobile application for any other purpose is expressly prohibited.

Security of the Platform

1. You should be aware that the world wide web is an insecure public network that gives rise to a potential risk that your communications and transactions are being viewed, intercepted or modified by third parties or that files which you download may contain computer viruses or other defects.
2. We do not accept any liability for any interference with or damage to your computer system, software or data occurring in connection with the Platform. You should also make your own assessment of the potential risks to the security of the information you send when deciding whether or not to communicate by the world wide web.
3. While we use reasonable commercial efforts to make the Platform available, we do not represent or warrant that the Platform will be accessible or available on a timely basis, or that access will be uninterrupted or error free.

Restrictions

1. In using the Platform, you must not: (a) provide us with inaccurate or incomplete information;
   (b) violate any applicable laws, or use the Platform for any purpose that is unlawful;
   (c) distribute viruses, spyware, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of any computer hardware or software;
   (d) collect or store data about other users of the Platform; or.
   (e) engage in any other conduct that inhibits any other person from using or enjoying the Platform.

Privacy Policy

1. In using the Platform, you may give us personal information. By using the Platform, you grant us consent to collect, store, use and disclose such personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy..

Cookies

1. General information about visits to our website is collected by our computer servers, with small files “cookies” that our website transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your web browser (if you allow the delivery of “cookies”). The “cookies” are used to follow the pattern of movements of users by letting us know which pages on our website are visited, in what order and how often and the previous website visited. The purpose of sending these files with a unique ID number is so that the website can recognise your computer when you next visit the website. The “cookies” that are shared with your computer can not be used to discover any personal information such as your name, address or email address they merely identify your computer to our website when you visit us. The anonymous non-personal information that when collected and analysed in not personal information as described in the Privacy Act 1998. If you are unhappy about having a cookie sent to you, you can set your browser to refuse cookies or choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent.

General

1. If any part of these Terms of Use is held to be unenforceable, the unenforceable part is to be given effect to the greatest extent possible and the remainder will remain in full force and effect.
2. Your use of the Platform is conducted electronically, and you agree that we may communicate with you electronically for all aspects of your use of the Platform, including sending you electronic notices if you are registered.
3. The provisions of these Terms of Use which by their nature are intended to survive termination or expiry of these Terms of Use.
4. These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales in relation to any dispute arising under, or in connection with, the Platform or these Terms of Use.

Last updated: 14 August 2023