Patients: Your Personal & Health Information and Our Privacy Policy

In accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

Our practice respects your right to privacy. This document sets out our policies on handling your personal and health information.

• Collection of personal health information
  We collect your health information for the primary purpose of providing you with health care. We record past and current development and health information to assess your health status, make diagnoses, determine and implement treatment and to maintain our record of these matters. We collect personal information such as names, address, Medicare and health insurance details for billings for my services, payments and contact with you.
• Security of your personal and health information
  The information we collect is recorded in a secure patient file and computer system. It is only accessible to my practice team and me. The security of your personal and health information is important to us.
• Use of your personal and health information
  Your information is used by me in providing medical care to you. It is used by my practice team for administrative purposes. Your information may be disclosed to the referring medical practitioner and may be sent to other medical practitioners at your request. Otherwise, we only release your health and personal information if you authorise or agree to us doing so, if we are requested to do so in a medical emergency, when required by law, or in response to a legal direction from a Court or Tribunal.
• Access to your personal and health information
  You are entitled to access, view and have copies of your personal and health information collected and stored by our practice. The Health Records Act 2001 provides you with these rights. We can provide you with information about how you can access and view your information. You can also obtain this information from the Office of the Health Services Commissioner.
  You also have the right to request that your health and personal information be corrected if you believe it contains errors, or to have placed on your record a statement to correct the information.
  Requests for access to or correction of your health and personal information are to be directed to me in writing using the adjacent contact details.
• Transfer of your health information
  You may request that your health information be transferred to another medical practitioner. This requires a written and signed authority directing me to do so.
• Storage of your personal and health information
  When you cease to be a current patient we may destroy the record seven years after my last professional contact with you.
• Complaints about privacy
  If you have any concern or complaint about our handling of your personal and health information, you may contact me or a member of my practice team. You may also address your concern or complaint to the Office of the Health Services Commissioner.