| Collection |
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It is necessary
for us to collect personal health information
from patients and sometimes others associated
with their health care in order to attend to their
health care needs and for associated administration
purposes. |
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| Sensitive
Information |
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Health information
is ‘sensitive information’ for the
purposes of privacy legislation. This means that
generally patients’ consent will be sought
to collect health information that is necessary
to make an accurate medical diagnosis, prescribe
appropriate treatment and to be proactive in patient
health care. |
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| Use and disclosure |
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A patient’s
personal health information is used or disclosed
for purposes directly related to their health
care and in ways that are consistent with a patient’s
expectations. In the interests of the highest
quality and continuity of health care this may
include sharing of information with other health
care providers who comprise a patient’s
medical team from time to time. In addition there
are circumstances when information has to be disclosed
without patient consent, such as:
Emergency situations
- By law, doctors are sometimes required to
disclose information for public health interest
reasons, e.g. mandatory reporting of some
communicable diseases.
- It may be necessary to disclose information
about a patient to fulfill a medical indemnity
insurance obligation.
- Provision of information to Medicare or
private health funds, if relevant, for billing
and medical rebate purposes.
In general a patients’
health information will not be used for any other
purposes without their consent.
There are some necessary purposes
of collection for which information will be used
beyond providing health care, such as professional
accreditation, quality assessments, clinical auditing,
billing and so forth. |
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| Access |
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A patient has a
right to access their information. They may ask
to view the information or ask for a copy. A patient
may be asked to clarify the scope of the request.
The preferred way to gain access to health information
is in consultation with the relevant doctor. A
written request is also required and depending
on the type of information required there may
be a charge. There are some circumstances in which
access may be denied but in such an event, the
patient will be advised of the reason.
The material over which a doctor
has copyright might be subject to conditions that
prevent further copying or publication without
the doctor’s permission.
Upon request a patient’s
health information held by Milton Clinic will
be made available to another health service provider. |
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| Parents/Guardians
and children |
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The right of
children to privacy of their health information,
based on the professional judgment of the practitioner
and consistent with the law, might at times restrict
access to this information by parents or guardians. |
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| Data Security |
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The storage,
use and, where necessary, transfer of personal
health information will be undertaken in a secure
manner that protects patient privacy. |
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| Data Quality |
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Every effort is
made to keep an individual’s information
accurate, up to date and complete. You are entitled
to see your records and change them to improve
the accuracy of the information. |
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| Anonymity |
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A patient has
a right to be dealt with anonymously, provided
this is lawful and practicable. However, in the
medical context this is not likely to be practicable
or possible for Medicare and insurance rebate
purposes. It could also be dangerous to the patient’s
health. |
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| Transborder
data flows |
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Individual’s
privacy is protected Australia-wide by privacy
laws. We will take steps to protect patient privacy
if information is to be sent interstate or outside
Australia.
It is important to us here at Milton Clinic that
your expectations about the way we handle your
information are the same as ours.
Please do not hesitate to discuss
your concerns, questions or complaints about any
issues related to the privacy of your personal
information with your doctor.
If you are still dissatisfied
you can complain to the Federal Privacy Commissioner
whose contact details are:
Level 8 Piccadilly Tower
133 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 1042
Privacy Hotline: 1300 363 992
Website: www.privacy.gov.au |
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