Introduction
This privacy policy is to provide to you information on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within this practice, and the circumstances in which I/we may share it with others.
Why and when your consent is necessary
When you become a patient of this practice, you provide consent for me to access and use your personal information so I can provide you with the best possible health care. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If I need to use your information for anything else, I will seek consent from you to do this. If you do not provide this information; I may be unable to treat you.
Why do I collect, use, hold and share your personal information?
This practice will need to collect your personal information to provide quality health care services to you. The main purpose for collecting, using, holding, and sharing your personal information is to thoroughly assess and manage your health needs. I also use it for administrative purposes of the practice, billing, for directly related business activities, such as payments, practice audits, and business processes.
I do not and will not sell or deal any Personal Data or any customer information. Your Personal Data details are only disclosed to third party suppliers when it is required by law, for goods or services which you have purchased, for payment processing or to protect our copyright, trademarks and other legal rights. To the extent that I do share your Personal Data with a service provider, we would only do so if that party has agreed to comply with our privacy standards as described in this privacy policy and in accordance with applicable law. My contracts with third parties prohibit them from using any of your Personal Data for any purpose other than that for which it was shared. This will always be in accordance with your written consent.
What personal information do I collect?
The information collected about you includes your:
- names, date of birth, addresses, contact details, occupation
- medical information including presenting complaint, medical history, current and previous medications, known allergic reactions, adverse events, immunisations, past and family history, relevant lifestyle history, risk factors, findings from pathology tests or other investigations.
Dealing with me anonymously
You have the right to deal with me anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.
How do I collect your personal information?
This practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.
- When you make your first appointment I will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
- I may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
- During the course of providing health care services I will collect and transcribe further information surrounding the nature of your appointment to ensure effective clinical record keeping. To do this I use a safe, secure, encrypted & HIPAA certified ambient listening technology to transcribe conversations in real time. You can opt not to use this at anytime.
- In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:
- your guardian or responsible person
- other involved health care providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services
- your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary).
When, why and with whom do I share your personal information?
I will only disclose your personal information for the purpose or purposes of consultation with another practitioner or as otherwise permitted by law and only with your consent. This may include disclosure of information to your doctors or other health professionals. In the case of insurance or compensation claim it may be necessary to disclose and or collect information that concerns your return to work to an insurer or your employer. Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing health care services or as otherwise described in this policy, this practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent. I will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.
This practice will not use your personal information for marketing any goods or services to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying this practice in writing. This practice may use your personal information to improve the quality of the services offered to patients through research and analysis of patient data.
How do I store and protect your personal information?
Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms including paper records, electronic records, X-rays, CT scans, videos, photos, audio recordings.
I will use all reasonable means to protect the confidentiality of your Personal Data while in our possession or control. All information I receive from you is stored and password protected on secure servers from unauthorised use or access. We hold your personal information in both paper-based and electronic files, in both cases stored securely. I seek to ensure that your personal information is protected from misuse, interference and loss; and unauthorised access, modification and disclosure. I will retain your personal information for as long as needed to provide services to you and as otherwise necessary to comply with my legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements. In the event there is a breach of our security and your Personal Data is compromised, I will promptly notify you in compliance with the applicable law.
How can you access and correct your personal information?
You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. This practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. I require you to put this request in writing via email stating your full name, and date of birth and I will respond within 7 business days.
I will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, I will ask you to verify that your personal information is correct and current. You may also request that I correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing via email.
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at this practice?
I take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing via email. I will then attempt to resolve it within 30 days.
You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.
Policy review statement
To ensure this privacy policy remains current, this policy is subject to change. I may modify this policy at any time, in our sole discretion and all modifications will be effective immediately upon our posting of the modifications on this website. Please return periodically to review our privacy policy.
Date reviewed: 29th December 2024