Privacy Policy

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 indirectly for 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:

name, date of birth, addresses, contact details
medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisation, social history, family history and risk factors
Medicare number (where available) for identification and claim purposes
Healthcare identifiers
Health fund details

Dealing with anonymously

You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it its 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 personal information?

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

When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information. Upon consent information may be collected from you for MY Health record, eg via Shared Health Summary. Event Summary through the eHealth services. You will be required to complete a consent for this to occur and will be asked for verbal consent prior to this access.
We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an appointment or communicate with us using social media.
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 Veteran's 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 the APP's and this policy.
with other healthcare providers
when it is required or authorized by law (eg court subpoenas)
when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patients life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patients consent
to locate 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 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 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 goods or services directly to you without your expressed consent. If you do not consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.

How do we store and protect your information

Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms.

Paper records, electronic records, visual records (X-rays, CT scans, Videos and photos)

Our practice stores all your personal information securely

Our practice has a detailed computer security policy. Our policy states how all electronic records are kept on a secure server which is hosted, monitored , checked and updated regularly by our IT support team.

All staff at the practice have individual login details and passwords all have been designed to meet appropriate standards and change regularly to keep all electronic records safe. Any paper records are stored in secure cabinets, and confidentiality agreements for staff and contractors are kept on site.

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 in writing. Our clinic has request forms that allow you to chose what information you require access to. Your signature is required as consent. Our practice will respond within 30 days of your request. A fee of $20 maybe required for the cost of complying with the request.

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 Narelle Lessue at n.lessue@allcareblakescrossing.com.au.

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

We take complaints regarding privacy very seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure. Please forward any concerns to Attn: Narelle Lessue at n.lessue@allcareblakescrossing.com.au Allcare Blakes Crossing 2 Mansfield Parade, Blakeview SA 5114 Phone 7078 4566 Fax: 7078 4562. We will attempt to resolve your complaint within 30 days.

You may also contact 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.

Privacy and our website

Allcare Blakes Crossing works in conjunction with Health Engine to enable you to conveniently manage your own appointments. Allcare regularly updates all Malware, Virus Protection and Firewalls to ensure computer security. health Engine are bound by the Australian Privacy principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Oth), please see Health Engine Privacy policy https://healthengine.com.au/privacy.php

Policy review Statement

The privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. Patients will be provided a copy of the updates policy if significant changes are made in the way we handle your personal information.

Allcare Blakes Crossing Medical Centre

Healthcare for your whole family

Privacy Policy

Allcare Blakes Crossing Medical Centre