HASTINGS MEDICAL CENTRE – PRIVACY POLICY
We are committed to treating your personal information in accordance with privacy law.
This brochure explains how and why we collect personal information about you, how you can access your information and how your information may be used or disclosed to other parties.
Collection of your personal information
We collect information directly from you. Reception staff will collect personal information from you on arrival to make up a personal health file. Practice nurses will take a full medical history so that we may properly assess, diagnose, treat and be proactive in your health care needs.
Security of information collected
Your information will be held as an electronic medical record forming part of a secure computerised database. We follow strict rules regarding the secure storage of personal information in all formats in order to protect your information from unauthorised access, loss or other misuse. GP’s, registered nurses, general practice registrar’s, medical students and allied health professionals will have access to your personal health record. On occasion reception staff may need to contact you on the advice of your doctor.
Hastings Medical Centre will retain your health record until the patient turns 25, if a child or a minimum of 7 years following the last year of a patient’s attendance, whichever is greater.
Use or Disclosure of information
If you move to another surgery we will require your signed consent on Medical Request Transfer Form prior to releasing your personal health information.
Your personal health information may be disclosed to health professionals to enable appropriate health services to be provided to you, for example:
- hospitals or medical specialists involved in your care and treatment
- Ambulance Service of NSW
- pathology providers, imaging providers
- to contact you for feedback on services you have received from us
- billing
- bodies managing a complaint, legal action, or claim brought against the Practice or a treating health professional
- for purposes relating to funding, planning, safety, professional development and quality improvement activities
If you do not wish for us to collect, use or disclose certain information about you, you will need to tell us and we will discuss with you any consequences this may have for your healthcare.
The law also allows or requires for your personal health information to be disclosed to other third parties, for example:
- State and Commonwealth government agencies for statutory reporting purposes, e.g. to report notifiable infectious diseases and to provide Medicare details.
- To law enforcement agencies e.g., Police if you provide us with information relating to a serious crime, including assault, domestic violence, child abuse and so on. (Signed consent to be obtained).
- To other agencies where the information relates to the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or young person.
- To comply with a subpoena or search warrant if your personal information is required as evidence in court. (Signed consent to be obtained).
Research is an important component of general practice in Australia and Practices are encouraged to participate in research both within their own practice and through reputable bodies. On occasion you may be asked if you would like to consent to participate. Information available at:- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Access to your information
You are entitled to request access to all personal information. You will be asked to apply for access in writing and provide identification. You will be required to make an appointment with your Doctor. You will be charged a fee if you request copies of your personal information or medical record.
Access to your personal information may be declined in special circumstances, such as where giving access would put you or another person at risk of mental or physical harm.
If you believe the information we hold about you is incorrect or an error has been made, please let us know and we will correct it.
Requests for access to your medical record should be addressed to your Doctor.
If you have any questions or a complaint about the privacy of your personal information, please contact:
The Privacy Contact Officer
Hastings Medical Centre, 70 High Street, Wauchope NSW 2446.
(02) 6585 1977.