Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy - Updated 2/2/21 

1. Introduction 

Our practice is committed to following best practice for the management of information we  collect. We have developed this policy to protect pateint privacy in compliance with the  Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) (‘The Privacy Act’). Our policy is to inform you of: 

The type of information we collect and hold (as a medical practice, this is likely to be ‘health information’); 

  1. How we collect and store this personal information; 
  2. Why we collect , hold, use and disclose personal information; 
  3. How you may access your personal information (and seek any correction of that  information); 
  4. How you may complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy principles, and how we will deal with such a complaint; 
  5. And whether we are likely to disclose personal information to overseas recipients;

2. What type of personal information do we collect? 

The type of information we may collect and hold includes: 

  1. Your name, address, date of birth, email and contact details; 
  2. Your Medicare number, DVA number, and other government-issued identifiers (we do not use these to identify you in our practice); 
  3. Your health information, for example:  
    • symptoms, diagnoses, treatments
    • test reports, specialist reports 
    • appointment and billing details 
    • prescriptions 
    • dental records (if appropriate) 
    • your genetic information (or your family’s, if appropriate) 
    • any other information about your race, sexuality, religion, when collected by a healthcare provider 

3. How do we collect and hold your personal information? We will generally collect personal information: 

  1. From you directly, when you provide your details to us, either face to face, via telephone, registration forms or online forms; 
  2. From a person responsible for you (if appropriate); 
  3. From third parties, where the Privacy Act or other law allows it - including, but not limited to: other members of your treating team, diagnostic centres, specialists, hospitals, the  My Health Record System, electronic prescription services, Medicare, your health insurer, or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. 

4. Why do we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information? In general, we do this for the following purposes: 

In general, we do this for the following purposes:

  1. to provide health services to you;
  2. to communicate with you in relation to the health service being provided to you;
  3. to comply with our legal obligations, including mandatory reporting of communicable diseases or under child protection legislation;
  4. to manage our accounts and administrative services, including billing, health fund arrangements, pursuing unpaid accounts;
  5. for consultations with other doctors and allied health professionals involved in your care;
  6. to obtain, analyse and discuss test results from imaging and pathology laboratories;
  7. for identification and insurance claiming;
  8. to liaise with your health fund, government and regulatory bodies (eg Medicare, DVA, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, as necessary).

5. How can you access and correct your personal information? 

You have a right to seek access to, and request correction, of the personal information we hold about you.  

For details on how to seek access and correction of your health record, please contact our practice as noted under “Contact Details” 

We will normally respond to your request within 30 days. There may be a fee for providing access - this will be advised in advance of completing the request.

6. How do we hold your personal information? 

Our staff are trained and required to respect your privacy. We take reasonable steps to protect information from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access, modification , or disclosure. 

Your information is held on an encrypted database, with strong password protections. Any paper notes or information are disposed of securely when no longer required. No information is held in cloud storage. Our practice staff sign confidentiality agreements. 

7. Privacy related questions and complaints 

If you have any questions about privacy-related issues or wish to complain about a breach  of the Australian Privacy Principles, or the handling of your personal information by us, you may lodge your complaint in writing to: 

The Practice Manager (marked Private and Confidential)  
Dr Frank Sardelic 
121 Johnston St 
Tamworth 2340 NSW 

If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may refer the matter to the OAIC: 

Phone: 1300 363 992
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au 
Fax: +612 9284 9666
Mail: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001 

https://www.oaic.gov.au/individuals/how-do-i-make-a-privacy-complaint 

8. Anonymity and pseudonyms 

The Privacy Act provides that individuals must have the option of not identifying themselves, or of using a pseudonym, when dealing with our practice, except in certain circumstances, such as when it is not practicable for us to deal with you if you have not identified yourself. As a medical practice, it becomes difficult to provide medical services and comply with administrative requirements if patients are not prepared to identify themselves. 

9. Overseas Disclosure

We may disclose your personal information to the following overseas recipients: 

  1. Any practice or individual who assists us in providing services (eg if you have had  previous healthcare provided overseas); 
  2. Anyone else to whom you authorise us to disclose your information. 

10. Updates to the Policy 

The Policy will be reviewed from time to time to take account of new laws and technology,  changes to our operations, and other developments. Updates will be published on the  practice’s website.