PRIVACY

Collection of personal information

We collect the personal information of our patients to facilitate the delivery of their medical care. You have the right to know what information is being collected, by whom, for what purpose and with whom this information will be shared. Due to the sensitive nature of health information, you will be asked, where appropriate, to give your consent for the information to be collected.

Complaints

Please discuss any concerns with us. In the event your concerns have not been addressed to your satisfaction, you are entitled to lodge a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner.

Anonymity

We recognise your right to remain anonymous, although for the purposes of exchanging health information, this is not usually practical or possible.

Use and Disclosure 

Your personal information will only be used or disclosed for purposes related to your health. There may be occasions where the information is shared with other treating heath professionals in order to facilitate the delivery of the highest standard of clinical care.In circumstances where it is necessary to provide information to other parties, such as your employer if you have a work related injury or illness, you will be asked to provide your consent. Consent is not required for us to provide basic information to Medicare Australia, your health fund, or for billing and account management.In other circumstances, such as in an emergency, or when required by law to disclose basic information, your consent is not required.

Data Quality Security and Storage

All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that personal information held by us is accurate and up-to-date. Care is taken in the storage, use and the transfer of all personal information. Access to your personal health information is limited to those people who need it, and systems and processes are in place to protect the information. Any information no longer required is destroyed (after a period of 7 years) in accordance with the Privacy Act Section 4.

Openness and Access

You have the right to seek information from us about the privacy policy of lhe organisation Patients may request access to their health infomalion and can update or correct information held by us. A charge may apply to access information. On request, and with your consent, information held by us may be provided to another health provider.
There are some circumstances where access to heallh information is restricted and in this case, reasons for this will be explained to you.

Transborder Data Flows

We will only release information to medical providers outside Victoria or Australia if they have substantially similar rules to the standards called Health Privacy Principles (HPP) which are set under the Victorian Health Act 2001.

Transfer/Closure of the Practice

As a practice, we will make sure that any patient information/files are handled sensitively and with consent. In the unlikely event that file practice is transferred to another practitioner or is closed.

Summary

The Federal Privacy Act incorporates 10 National Privacy Principles that set out the rules for handling personal information in the private sector. In the interests of providing quality health care, we have a privacy policy that complies with the legislation and recognises the rights of our patients to privacy.

Further Information

Further Information is available from the Federal Privacy Commissioner’s Office at:  Level 8 Piccadilly Tower 133 Caslereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001 Privacy Hotline 1300 363 992 orHealth Services Commissioner, Complaints & Information Tel: 1800 136 066 Web site: www.health.vic.gov.au/hsc/