Privacy Policy - Managing Patient Health information
NewHealth Medical Centre is committed to protecting the privacy of patients in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012, the Australian Privacy Principles and relevant State and Territory privacy legislation (referred to as privacy legislation).
COLLECTION of INFORMATION
Information collected is kept strictly confidential for authorized access and used only - for the medical and health care of patients.
This information may include your contact details (name, address, email address, mobile number), date of birth (DOB), gender, marital status, health information, and family history.
This information may be stored on our computers (patient management software and database) and/or in hand-written medical notes.
For better care, we may need to collect your information from other sources such as hospitals, treating specialists, pathologist, radiologists, and other health care providers.
Your information may be collected by medical and non-medical staff in our practice, using different media; over a call, in writing (fax/letter), face-to-face or digital media (email).
In emergency situations we may also need to collect information from your relatives or friends (nominated next of keen or emergency contacts).
USAGE AND DISCLOSURE
Your personal information is strictly private and confidential. It will be only used for your ongoing care and treatment.
Personal information collected by NewHealth Medical Centre maybe be used or disclosed in the following circumstance:
-
With your consent for continuity of care elsewhere
-
As required by law and courts for medical defence purposes and mandatory reporting by law.
-
The practice will not disclose patient information to any third party other than in the course of providing medical services, and mandatory reporting to courts, without full disclosure to the patient or the recipient, the reason for the information transfer and full consent from the patient.
DATA QUALITY AND SECURITY
All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure patient information collected and retained in our records are complete, accurate, up to date and relevant.
Apposite data collection forms, queries and IT systems may be used by reception staff, nurses and doctors.
Your information will be protected by different security and access control methods to prevent unauthorized usage. This will be done by securing our premises, and IT systems.
All possible care will be taken to ensure the protection of patient privacy during the transfer, storage, and use of personal health information.
Retention of medical records will be for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last data entry into the patient record.
ACCESS
You have the right to obtain or transfer your medical records to another medical centre.
Requests must be made in writing and reasonable time give for the secure transfer.
Administrative fees may be applied for retrieving and transferring your medical records.
Your health information will not be transferred to an overseas recipient. other than yourself. Patients will be advised to obtain their medical record before travel.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND CHILDREN
To protect children right to privacy, access to their medical information may be restricted for parents and guardians. Release of information may be subject to request from the treating doctor or court.
COMPLAINTS
This Practice takes complaints and concerns about the privacy of patient’s information seriously.
Any privacy concern should be addressed to practice management in writing.
The following email address can be used to provide your written complaint to NewHealth Medical Centre: admin@newhealthmedicalcentre.com.
The practice will attempt to respond and resolve the matter in accordance with our complaint’s management process.
If the complaint is not resolved to patient’s satisfaction, it could be directed to:
The Federal Privacy Commissioner
Level 8 Piccadilly Tower
133 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000