Privacy Policy

We take our patient’s privacy very seriously. Please read our privacy policy here.

Privacy Policy

Introduction
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.

Why and when your consent is necessary
When you register as a patient of our practice, you provide consent for our GPs and
practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you
with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal
information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything
else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.

Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information?
Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare
services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your
personal information is to manage your health. We also use it for directly related
business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and
accreditation, and business processes (eg staff training).

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.

Dealing with us anonymously
You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is
impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only
deal with identified individuals.

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.
During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal
information.
We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send
us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate
with us using social media.
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, 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.

How do we store and protect your personal information?
Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms. Most of
our records are electronic, we may also store clinic photos electronically also with
your consent.
Our practice stores all personal information securely. We store all records in an
electronic format. This is a secure environment that is password protected. All our
staff and contractors sign a confidentiality agreements.

The use of Lyrebird Health Software to Automate Paperwork

We use Lyrebird Health, an Artificial Intelligent Dictation software to automate notes. To Read the privacy policy and how data is used and stored please read https://www.lyrebirdhealth.com/patient

How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice?
You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal
information.
Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records.
We require you to put this request in writing our practice will respond within a
reasonable time of 30 days. You may be charged for the cost of printing the file.
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 writing to the practice principals.

See: https://northeastfamilymedicine.com.au/accessing-your-health-information/

How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be
handled at our practice?
We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express
any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it in
accordance with our resolution procedure. The practice contact details are found on
the letterhead of this policy. We will respond within 30 days.
You may also contact the OAIC. Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them
time to respond before they will investigate. For further information visit
www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992

Privacy and our website
Personal information may also be collected through cookies when using the website
or when interacting with the clinic on social media.

For more information about privacy issues in Australia and protecting your privacy, visit the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner