Private Practice Client Terms & Conditions for Nurses and Midwives

What a good one includes

• A clear definition of the specific nursing or midwifery services you provide, explicitly outlining the boundary between your independent care and primary medical treatment.
• A mandatory clause instructing clients on exactly what to do and who to contact in a medical emergency, confirming that your private practice is not an emergency service.
• Detailed terms regarding your fee structure, accepted payment methods, invoicing timelines, and whether you accept health insurance or require self-payment.
• A transparent policy outlining the notice required to reschedule appointments and the specific fees charged for late cancellations or missed sessions.
• Legal language that limits your liability to the maximum extent permitted by law while documenting that the client consents to the proposed plan of care.
• An explanation of how client health records are securely stored, shared, and retained in compliance with healthcare privacy laws.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Relying on basic, non-medical contract templates that fail to address the unique clinical liabilities, scope boundaries, and regulatory standards of nursing and midwifery.
• Failing to explicitly state that you do not provide 24/7 crisis or emergency medical intervention, which can lead to dangerous delays in clients seeking acute care.
• Neglecting to define acceptable hours and platforms for non-urgent communication, resulting in clients expecting immediate responses via text or social media at all hours.
• Forgetting to include a formal process for ending the professional relationship safely, leaving you vulnerable to claims of client abandonment if you must refuse service.

Frequently asked questions