Information for Patients
THE PRACTICE ETHICAL CODE
This practice is committed to providing comprehensive general practice care to individuals and families in this community. All patient consultations and records are kept strictly confidential. Our practice upholds the Australian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics. We strive to improve our standard of care and welcome constructive suggestions. We believe problems are best dealt with in the Practice. However, if you feel there is a problem you wish to take up outside, you may wish to contact the AMA. The address is :-
PO Box 123
Red Hill Q 4059
Phone: (07) 3872 2222
UNDERSTANDING PRIVACY
Collection, use and disclosure of your information.
Information about a patient’s medical and family health history is needed to provide accurate medical diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We will be fair in the way we collect information about our patients. This information is generally collected from the patient, and otherwise with the patient’s consent. However, from time to time we may receive patient information from others. When this occurs we will, wherever possible, make sure the patient knows we have received this information. Medical care requires full knowledge of patient health information by all members of a medical team. To ensure quality and continuity of patient care a patient’s health information has to be shared with other health care providers from time to time Some information about patients is also provided to Medicare, and private health funds if relevant, for billing and medical rebate purposes. The doctors in this practice are members of various medical and professional bodies including medical defence organisations. There may be occasions when disclosure of patient information is required for medical defence purposes. There are also circumstances where a medical practitioner is legally bound to disclose personal information. An example of this is the mandatory reporting of communicable diseases. It is necessary for us to keep patient’s information after their last attendance at this practice for as long as is required by law or is prudent having regard to administrative requirements. The Federal Privacy Act incorporates 10 National Privacy Principles (the NPPs) that set out the rules for the handling of personal information in the private sector. In the interests of providing quality health care this practice has developed a privacy policy that complies with the privacy legislation and the NPPs.
PATIENT PRIVACY POLICY
To provide a high standard of medical care we need to collect personal information from our patients. This information is usually collected from the
patient but may be collected from family members and other health care provider’s with the patient’s consent. At times some of this information
needs to be shared with other health care providers or we may be legally bound to disclose personal information. All persons accessing your
personal health information are bound by confidentiality. Please do not hesitate to discuss any concerns, questions or complaints about any issues
related to the privacy of your personal information with your Doctor or the Practice Manager. If you require another member of your family to access your test results, this cannot be done without a consent form signed by the patient. Please ask our reception staff for this form if you require one.
ACCESS TO YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS
A patient has a right to access their information. They may ask to view the information or ask for a copy of a part or of the whole record. While not required to give reasons for their request, a patient may be asked to clarify the scope of the request. There are some circumstances in which access may be denied but in such an event, the patient will be advised of the reason. A charge may be payable where the practice incurs costs in providing access. This will depend on the nature of the access. The material over which the doctor has copyright might be subject to conditions that prevent further copying or publication without the doctors permission. If a patient finds that the information held on them is not accurate or complete, the patient may have that information amended accordingly. Upon receiving a written and signed request from another practice, a patient’s health information held by this practice will be transferred to another health service provider in a timely manner.
TEST RESULTS
Your doctor checks all test results. Please telephone to ascertain if your results are back and what further steps, if any, may be required.
COMPLAINTS
It is important to us that your expectations about the way in which we handle your information are the same as ours. Please do not hesitate to discuss any concerns, questions or complaints about any issues related to the privacy of your personal information with your doctor, or the practice manager. 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
PATIENT FEEDBACK
From time to time this practice may invite patients to complete a questionnaire on their views of the practice, and how it could be improved. These surveys are completely confidential and help us to improve our services. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the care you receive from this practice, we are keen to know about it. Please feel free to talk to one of the doctors or the practice manager about the service we provide.