Storage and Security of your Personal Information

Our clinic adheres to the Federal Privacy Act, 1988 as contained in the newly amended privacy legislation with effect from the 21 December 2001. We have data encryption programs and databases to protect and store your health information securely. We also take all reasonable steps to ensure that personal information that we hold about you is as accurate as is possible. You are also welcome to contact us at any time and ask for its correction if you feel the information we have about you is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

Collection of your personal information

The Privacy legislation stipulates that a practice should only collect health information that is necessary for its functions or activities. We will only:

Collect necessary information to deliver and maintain a high level of health service.

Collect lawfully, fairly and not intrusively; and obtain client consent to collect health information about them (including impled or expressed consent).

Implied consent refers to circumstances where it is reasonable for the health professional to infer that consent has been given by the client eg. if a client knowingly discloses health information which is written down by the physiotherapist during the consultation.

Express consent refers to consent that is clearly and unmistakably stated (either in writing, orally, or in another fashion where consent is clearly communicated).   

Use and Disclosure of your personal information

We do not sell, trade, or rent personal information to others. 

However, we may obtain and disclose your personal information in order to liaise with other service providers to provide a better service to you such as: 

requests and acquisition of medical and diagnostic reports, to organise referrals, discussions with your health fund and government organisations such as Medicare and My Health Record. 

Other reasons may include:

For billing purposes

Communication – i.e. updating your personal information, telephone and email reminders and inquiries, online orders, responding to complaints and complements, and to prevent personal or public harm etc.

Accreditation and quality assurance activities – to improve individual and community health care and practice management.

For research and statistical analysis – where your details will be de-identified, unless otherwise specified.

To comply with legislative and regulatory requirements – If we are required by law, or to comply with our legal obligations (e.g. mandatory reporting under legislation, responding to a court order or subpoena), or in preparation of legal defence.

Access to your personal information

We will always provide you with access to any personal information we hold about you, or can send these to a third party if you request, by contacting us directly to obtain a Release of Personal Information Consent Form. This must be signed, received and processed before your personal information is released. Your personal information will not be shared or disclosed to any party other than what is outlined in this, nor will it be used for any other purpose than what it was originally intended.