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?
Condamine Medical Centre 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.
What personal information do we collect?
The information we will collect about you 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
- Gender as identified by the patient
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status
- Country of Origin
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.
- 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. Condamine Medical Centre participates in the My Health Record system as shared health summaries can be uploaded to your record with written consent.
- We may also collect your personal information when you telephone us.
- In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources, including:
- 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
- With other healthcare providers
- When it is required or authorised by law (e.g. 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
- 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 (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification)
- During the course of providing medical services, through My Health Record
Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent, other than as described in this policy.
We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances 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?
Our practice stores all personal information securely in electronic formats, in protected information systems by unique usernames and passwords on a terminal server.
How can you access and correct your personal information?
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 addressed to the Practice Manager and our practice will respond within a reasonable time of 30 days. You may be required to see your doctor to further discuss accessing your records and a fee may be incurred.
Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. You may request that we correct or update your information in writing to Practice Manager, Condamine Medical Centre.
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint?
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.
Feedback forms are located on the main reception counter or please feel free to speak with our Management Team, either in person or by phoning (07) 4666 9666. You can also email us at feedback@conmed.com.au (non-reply service, we aim to respond within 30 days).
Alternatively, you can contact the Office of the Health Ombudsman, PO Box 13281, George St, Brisbane QLD 4003. Phone 133 646, Email: complaints@oho.qld.gov.au. You may also contact the OAIC at www.oaic.gov.au or call 1300 363 992.
Privacy and our website
We do not collect personal health information on the Condamine Medical Centre website.
Policy review statement
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated in accordance with the legislation. New policies will be available in our waiting areas, reception and our practice website.
Australian Privacy Principles
The Australian Privacy Principles (or APPs) are the cornerstone of the privacy protection framework in the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). They apply to any organisation or agency the Privacy Act covers.
There are 13 Australian Privacy Principles and they govern standards, rights and obligations around:
- The collection, use and disclosure of personal information
- An organisation or agency's governance and accountability
- Integrity and correction of personal information
- The rights of individuals to access their personal information
The Australian Privacy Principles are principles-based law, giving organisations flexibility to tailor their personal information handling practices. They are also technology neutral, allowing them to adapt to changing technologies.
A breach of an Australian Privacy Principle is an 'interference with the privacy of an individual' and can lead to regulatory action and penalties.