HeLP Patient Legal Clinic
Patient information
What we do
We offer free legal assistance and referrals to all patients and families at Bayside Health (Alfred Care Group) for their health-related legal problems.
Some of the matters that we provide legal assistance and referrals for are:
- End of life planning, including medical and legal powers of attorney
- When creating a power of attorney, you will need to be accompanied by an independent witness who is not your relative or partner, a relative or partner of the person that you are appointing, or your care worker or accommodation provider. The person that you are appointing as attorney will also need to be present
- Superannuation claims
- Housing and property
- Criminal charges
- Family law
- Family violence
- Elder abuse
What we cannot do
We are not able to provide legal advice to patients or their family members in relation to WorkCover or TAC claims.
We are also unable to provide advice in relation to immigration problems and cannot witness or create wills, but we can refer you to solicitors or services who can assist with these issues.
Who we care for
Our service is available to any patient of Bayside Health (Alfred Care Group).
What to expect
A Lawyer can contact you to provide you with free legal assistance in relation to the above matters.
Where appropriate, you may be referred to other services, taking into consideration your geographic location and financial situation.
If you need a medical or enduring power of attorney to be completed, you will need to organise an independent witness to attend the appointment with you. The witness must not be related to you or the people that you are appointing as your attorney, and cannot be your care worker or accommodation provider. The person or people that you are appointing as your attorney or attorneys will also need to be present at the appointment.
Commonly asked questions
This is a free service
We are unable to assist with any WorkCover or TAC claims
How to access this clinic
Speak with your social worker
The HeLP Clinic works collaboratively with the social work department to assist patients and families with legal support. The HeLP Clinic can offer assistance to you once a referral has been made by a social worker. To speak with a lawyer please ensure that you ask your social worker to refer to the HeLP Clinic. You can contact The Alfred Social Work Department on (03) 9076 3026 to speak with a social worker or contact your ward social worker directly.