Privacy Policy

Current as of: 05/07/2023

Introduction

This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.

Why and when your consent is necessary?

When you register as a patient of our practice, you provide consent for our GPs and practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.

Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information?

Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and accreditation, and business processes (eg staff training).

What personal information do we collect?

The information we collect includes your:

  • Names, date of birth, addresses, contact details.
  • Medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors.
  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes.
  • Healthcare identifiers.
  • Health fund details.

Dealing with us anonymously

You have the right to deal with us 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 we collect your personal information?

Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.

  1. When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
  2. During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information.

Information can also be collected through electronic transfer of prescriptions (eTP), My Health Record, eg via Shared Health Summary.

We may also collect your personal information when you visit send us an email, telephone us, or make an online appointment. 

  1. 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 healthcare 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 we share your personal information?

We sometimes share your personal information:

  • with third parties who work with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy
  • with other healthcare providers
  • when it is required or authorised by law (eg court subpoenas)
  • when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent
  • to assist in locating a missing person
  • to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim
  • for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process
  • when there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (eg some diseases require mandatory notification)
  • during the course of providing medical services, through eTP, My Health Record (eg via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary).
  • Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing medical services or as otherwise described in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.

We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.

Our practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.

How do we store and protect your personal information?

Management of Health Information

The following steps are taken to maintain your health information:

  • Computerised medical records are protected by password access and only available to authorised staff.
  • This Practice minimises the risk of loss of medical records by loss or damage by backing up computerised records onto External Hard Disc drives, at the completion of each day.
  • Computer information can be restored if the computer system is damaged.
  • Antivirus software and software/hardware firewalls are installed on computers.
  • Medicare online claiming and pathology results are received and sent via secure encryption.
  • The files are stored away from public view.
  • The office and medical records are securely locked when staff are not in attendance.

How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice?

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.

Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing eg; signed release of information or email and our practice will respond within a reasonable time frame of 30 days. There may be a fee of $25.00 to cover the cost of printing or electronic format.

Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to the Practice Manager to reception@doctorsatkenilworth.com.au

How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice?

We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure. All concerns should be addressed to the Practice Manager at reception@doctorsatkenilworth.com.au or on 07 5472 3914. All complaints or concerns will be addressed within 30 days either by phone, in person or via email.

You may also contact the 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. Alternatively you can contact the Health Ombudsman QLD at www.oho.qld.gov.au

Privacy and our website

While DOCTORS@KENILWORTH endeavor’s to take reasonable care in preparing and maintaining the information on this website we do not warrant the accuracy, reliability, adequacy, or completeness of any of the website content. You acknowledge and accept that the website content may include technical inaccuracies and typographical errors. The website content is subject to change at any time without notice and may not necessarily be up to date or accurate at the time you view it.

It is your responsibility to enquire with us directly to ensure the accuracy and currency of the material or information you seek to rely upon. To the extent permitted by law, including the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), DOCTORS@KENILWORTH disclaims all liability for loss directly or indirectly arising from your use of or reliance on the website and the website content.

DOCTORS@KENILWORTH does not guarantee that access to the DOCTORS@KENILWORTH website will be uninterrupted or that the website is free from viruses or anything else which may damage any computer which accesses the DOCTORS@KENILWORTH website or any data on such a computer.

Policy review statement

This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur.