Privacy Policy
Northbridge Medical Practice Privacy Policy
Updated 22nd November 2023
Why and when your consent is necessary
This privacy policy is to provide information to you, the patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within Northbridge Medical Practice, and the circumstances in which the practice may share it with third parties.
Introduction
When you register as a patient at Northbridge Medical Practice, you provide consent for the GPs and practice staff to access and use your personal information so the practice can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If the practice needs to use your information for anything else, the practice will seek additional consent from you to do this.
The information collected 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.
What personal information does the practice collect?
Northbridge Medical Practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. The main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health. The practice also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and accreditation, and business processes (eg staff training).
Why does the practice collect, use, hold and share your personal information?
How does the practice collect your personal information?
You have the right to deal with the practice anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable to do so or unless the practice is required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.
Dealing with the practice anonymously
Northbridge Medical Practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.
-
When you make your first appointment Northbridge Medical Practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
-
During the course of providing medical services, the practice may collect further personal information. Information can be collected through electronic transfer of prescriptions electronically, MyMedicare, My Health Record, eg via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary. The practice may also collect your personal information when you visit the Northbridge Medical Practice website, send an email or SMS, telephone the practice, make an online appointment or communicate with the practice 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).
Your personal information may be stored at Northbridge Medical Practice in various forms. eg as paper records, electronic records, visual records (X-rays, CT scans, videos and photos)
The practice stores all personal information securely. eg electronic format, in protected information systems and any hard copy format in a secured environment. The practice uses secure passwords that are changed every 2 months, secure cabinets, and have confidentiality agreements for staff and contractors.
How does the practice store and protect your personal information?
Northbridge Medical Practice sometimes share your personal information:
-
with third parties who work with the 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, through eRx, MyMedicare, 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, Northbridge Medical Practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.
The practice will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.
The practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of 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 Northbridge Medical Practice in writing.
The practice may use your personal information to improve the quality of the services offered to patients through research and analysis of patient data.
The practice may provide de-identified data to other organisations to improve population health outcomes. The information is secure, patients cannot be identified and the information is stored within Australia. You can let the reception staff know if you do not want your information included.
When, why and with whom does the practice share your personal information?
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at the practice?
You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.
Northbridge Medical Practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. You are required to put this request in writing either by completing a request form or a written and signed letter and the practice will respond within a reasonable time. No more than 30 days and the costs range from $0 to $60.
The practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, you will be asked to verify that your personal information held by the practice is correct and current. You may also request to correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to the practice manager via email at reception@northbridgemp.com.au.
How can you access and correct your personal information at the practice?
Northbridge Medical Practice take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. The practice will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with the resolution procedure which is to contact the practice manager via email reception@northbridgemp.com.au or phone (02) 8962 9400. Practice processes usually take no more than 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
The Privacy policy template for general practices is intended for use as a guide of a general nature only and may or may not be relevant to particular practices or circumstances. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has used its best endeavours to ensure the template is adapted for general practice to address current and anticipated future privacy requirements. Persons adopting or implementing its procedures or recommendations should exercise their own independent skill or judgement, or seek appropriate professional advice. While the template is directed to general practice, it does not ensure compliance with any privacy laws, and cannot of itself guarantee discharge of the duty of care owed to patients. Accordingly, the RACGP disclaims all liability (including negligence) to any users of the information contained in this template for any loss or damage (consequential or otherwise), cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of reliance on the template in any manner.
Disclaimer
This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. Patients will be notified of any changes to this policy via the website, waiting room or Instagram page.