Our policy in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988, Australian privacy Principles & Health Privacy Principles.
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.
At Laurel clinical, the provision of quality health care is our principal concern. It requires a doctor-patient relationship of trust and confidentiality. We regard your health information as confidential. We will obtain your consent when collecting this information and handle it in accordance with the privacy legislation. You are entitled to know what personal information is held about you, what it is used for, to whom it is disclosed and how it is stored. Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to always maintain the security of personal health information and to ensure that this information is only available to authorized members of staff.
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.
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. Completion of our registration form is vital.
- During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information. Information can also be collected through electronic transfer of prescriptions (eTP), My Health Record, eg via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary.
- We may also collect your personal information when you telephone us, make an online appointment, or communicate with us in any way.
- In some circumstances personal information may also 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 accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy
- 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 without your consent.
We will not share your personal information with 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.
Electronic Communication:
Our practice chooses not to communicate via email with our patients. It is acknowledged by the practice that consent is implied if the patient initiates electronic communication with the practice and the patient accepts the risks associated with the use of email communication.
Communication by e-mail has several risks which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- E-mail can be circulated, forwarded, and stored in paper and electronic files.
- Backup copies of e-mail may exist even after the sender, or the recipient has deleted his/her copy.
- E-mail can be received by unintended recipients.
- E-mail can be intercepted, altered, forwarded, or used without authorization or detection.
- E-mail senders can easily type in the wrong e-mail address.
- E-mail can be used to introduce viruses into computer systems.
For more details on our electronic communication policy please request a copy of our full policy.
Collection, Use and Storage
As part of the consultation with Dr Gilles Laur, we request that you complete a form outlining your personal details. We will use this information for the following reasons:
For administrative purposes. This includes maintenance of records and billing, and the possibility of information being forwarded to a collection agency in the event of an outstanding account.
To provide you with quality health care, to be able to properly assess and diagnose your condition.
For communication with others involved in your care, this includes your referring doctor who will receive a letter outlining the outcome of your consultation. It may also include other doctors, specialists and therapists involved in your care.
Securing your data
Laurel clinical will take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse, or alteration of your personal information.
Your personal information will be stored in a controlled and secure environment. Laurel clinical uses firewalls and encryption to protect the privacy of your personal information.
Access
You have a right to access your information. You may ask for a copy of part or all the record. You will be required to complete a form requesting this information. A charge may be payable for this access. In some circumstances, access may be denied but in such an event we will advise you of the reason
At your request, your health information will be made available to another health service provider. The right of children to privacy may at times restrict access to their information by parents or guardians.
We require you to put this request in writing via our Request for Personal Health Information form and our practice will respond within a reasonable time. We aim to process the request within 14 days, and we charge a fee as per the Health Records Act.
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 person at the clinic.
Your health information may need to be disclosed without your consent in situations such as:
- Emergency situations.
- By law for public interest reasons (e.g.: reporting of some communicable diseases).
- For a medical indemnity insurance obligation.
- For billing and medical rebate purposes to Medicare or private health funds.
Your Rights
You are not required to provide this information or give permission for it to be used as described above. However, your failure to do so may compromise the treatment we are able to give you. You may discuss your concerns, questions or complaints about any issues related to the privacy of your personal information with us.
Our Contact Details
Phone: 02 6674 1304
Email address: [email protected]
Postal address: Shop 1 & 2 Kingscliff Shopping Village, Pearl Street, Kingscliff NSW 2487
It is very important that the information we hold about you is accurate and up to date. Please let us know if at any time your personal information changes by emailing us at [email protected]
