This practice collects and holds personal information about you so that we may properly assess, diagnose, treat and be proactive in your healthcare needs.  

The type of personal information we collect may include:

• personal details (name, address, date of birth, Medicare number etc.) 

• your medical history

• notes made during the course of a medical consultation

• referral to other health services providers

• results and reports received from other health service providers.

Wherever practicable we will collect this information from you personally—either at the Practice, over the phone, via written correspondence or via the internet if you transact with us online. In some instances we may need to collect information about you from other sources, such as referring doctors, treating specialists, pathology, radiology, hospitals or other healthcare providers. In an emergency, we may collect information from your immediate family, friends or carers.

We aim to ensure the personal information we hold is accurate, complete, up-to-date and relevant. To this end, our staff may ask you to confirm that your personal details are correct. Please contact us if any of the details you have provided change.

Your personal information will only be used or disclosed for purposes directly related to providing you with quality health care, or in ways you would reasonably expect us to use it in order to provide you with this service.  

This includes use or disclosure:  

• to the professional team directly involved in you health care, including treating doctors, pathology services, radiology services and other specialists outside this medical practice.  For example, this may occur through referral to other doctors when requesting medical tests or in the report or result returned to us following the referrals. Please inform us if you do not wish for this to occur

• to the practice reception staff for billing and other administrative tasks necessary to run the practice. Our staff are trained in the handling of personal information in accordance with the Practice Privacy Policy

• to your health insurance fund, Medicare or other organisations responsible for the financial aspects of your care

• where required by law, for example, pursuant to a subpoena

• to insurers or lawyers for the defence of a medical claim

• to assist with training and education of other healthcare professionals.

Our practice does not intend to disclose your personal information to overseas recipients.

This practice takes all reasonable steps to protect the security of the personal information we hold. This includes:

• using appropriate methods to secure all electronic systems to protect information from unauthorised interference, access, modification or disclosure

• secure destruction of all hard copy materials

• securing the practice premises.

We aim to ensure the personal information we hold is accurate, complete, up-to-date and relevant. To this end, our staff may ask you to confirm that your personal details are correct. Please contact us if any of the details you have provided change.

Under law you have a right to access the personal information we hold about you. Please contact our Practice Manager for more information on our Access to Medical Records Policy. We ask that you put your request in writing. A fee for the retrieval and copying of your medical record will apply, charged in accordance with the schedule of fees specified in the Health Records Regulations 2008 (Vic), plus GST. This fee is not redeemable through Medicare.

If you believe any of the information we hold about you is incorrect, please contact the practice in writing to have it amended.

Australian privacy law limits the use of personal information for direct marketing of goods and services. We do not use your personal information for direct marketing.

You are not obliged to give us your personal information. However, if you choose not to provide the practice with the personal details requested, it may limit our ability to provide you with full service. We encourage you to discuss your concerns with our reception staff or with your doctor.

If you have a complaint regarding the way your personal information has been handled by this practice, please put it in writing and address it to the Practice Manager. We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 14 days and endeavour to provide a full response within 30 days of receipt. Should you be dissatisfied with our response, you may lodge your written complaint with the Victorian Privacy Commissioner and/or the Victorian Health Services Commissioner.    

If you have a query regarding our privacy policy, please contact our Practice Manager who will be happy to discuss the matter with you.