Privacy Policy
INTRODUCTION
This privacy policy outlines how our practice collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal and sensitive information. While much of this information relates to patients, we also collect and manage personal data relating to our staff, contractors, vendors, and anaesthetists.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals whose information we hold, and we comply with our obligations under relevant privacy legislation. This policy explains how we manage personal information across all areas of our operations, the purposes for which it is collected, and the circumstances under which it may be shared with third parties.
By adopting a comprehensive approach, we aim to ensure that everyone associated with our practice, whether as a patient, employee, contractor, or service provider, has confidence in how their information is handled.
WHY AND WHEN YOUR CONSENT IS NECESSARY
In most cases, personal information about patients is provided to our practice by their surgeon when scheduling anaesthetic services, and this information is entered into our secure software system. In some cases, patients may register directly via our website or over the phone.
By being referred to one of our anaesthetists or engaging with our practice, it is understood that you consent to your personal information being collected, used, and disclosed as necessary to deliver anaesthetic services. This includes, but is not limited to, the coordination of your care, communication with your surgeon or other healthcare providers, and for billing (including to Medicare and your health fund) and administrative purposes.
Only authorised staff involved in your care or in the operation of our practice will have access to your information. If we need to use your personal information for any other purpose not directly related to your care or the administration of our services, we will seek your express consent beforehand.
WHY DO WE COLLECT, USE, HOLD AND (on occasion) 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 processes, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and anaesthetists individual accreditation.
WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?
The information we will collect about you includes your:
name, date of birth, addresses, contact details
medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events,
immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors
Claim details relating: WorkCover, TAC, ICWA, DVA, Overseas Insurance
Medicare number for claiming purposes, where available
health fund details for claiming purposes, where available
HOW DO WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.
When you make contact via phone or web registration or we receive your information from your surgeon or proceduralist’s rooms our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information.
During the course of providing medical services, our practice staff or your anaesthetist may collect further personal ‘and sensitive’ information.
In some circumstances personal information may 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 information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles
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 including 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?
Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms, including paper records, electronic records, visual records (X-rays, CT scans, videos and photos) and audio recordings. Our practice stores all personal information securely.
HOW CAN YOU ACCESS AND CORRECT/UPDATE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AT OUR PRACTICE?
You have the right to request access to, and correction or update of, your personal information.
Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing and our practice will respond within 30 days. Please note that patients will not be charged for making the request, but details of any fees that may be associated with providing this information, if applicable, will be provided prior to carrying out 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.
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 attempt to resolve it in accordance with our Complaints Handling & Resolution Policy within 28 days.
Complaints can be lodged to manager@metroanaes.com.au
If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy-related concern or complaint, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC is the independent national regulator for privacy and freedom of information. Please note that the OAIC generally requires you to allow us an opportunity to respond to your concerns before commencing an investigation.
For more information, visit www.oaic.gov.au or contact the OAIC on 1300 363 992.
