Privacy Policy

Purpose

The provision of quality health care requires a relationship of trust and confidentiality between the patient and the doctor. Our Practice is committed to high quality care and the privacy policy is our commitment to protecting the privacy of our patients. We will ensure that our processes for the collection, storage, access and destruction of personal and health information are in compliance with our legal obligations and professional expectations.

Consent

We need your consent to collect personal information about you. This policy explains what your rights are over the use we make of the information and how we may disclose it to other medical service providers. You may alter or withdraw your consent at any time. However, you must let us know if you wish to change or limit your consent.

What we collect and why

The main reason we collect personal information from you is so we can assess, diagnose and treat you properly. This information will also be used for

• Administration of this medical practice
• Billing, including compliance with Medicare and Health Insurance Commission and Private Health fund requirements
• Disclosure to others providing health care, within the practice and by other doctors who may become involved in treating you through our referral.
• Quality improvement, teaching and learning activities to provide improved individual and community health care. You will be informed when such activities are being conducted and you may withdraw consent of any involvement.

Your personal details, your condition and treatment will be kept confidential by medical and other practice staff.

Sharing your information

Your information will not be disclosed without your permission unless the law requires it to be given to a designated person or authority, e.g. Medicare. Your consent is obtained when you first come to this practice and will be confirmed with you from time to time. You can change or limit your consent, but you must discuss this with us.

Keeping your information safe

We will store the information securely and protect it from unauthorised access, use of disclosure. We will not keep it longer than necessary and it will be disposed of securely. We will ensure that your personal and health information is relevant, accurate and up to date. We will endeavour to collect information directly from you, unless we are unable to do so, e.g. in an emergency. We will make every effort to confirm with you the information collected from another source, e.g. a family member, as soon as practicable.

Requesting access to information and making corrections

Patients may request access to their personal information that has been collected by this practice. Where necessary they will be given the opportunity to amend any personal information held that is incorrect.

There are some circumstances in which access is restricted and in these cases reasons for denying access will be explained. Other access options, such as a review of the record with the treating practitioner, may be offered to you rather than providing you with a copy of the record.

We request that patients wanting access to their medical records apply in writing and be able to provide proof of identity.

A charge will be payable to cover administration and photocopying costs to provide access.

If you are requesting access to the information of another patient, we may not grant access without that person’s consent. This can include access to a family member’s health information. We recognize that children over the age of 15 can request that information about their health care is kept confidential. This will be managed on a case by case basis as assessed by the treating doctor.

Making a complaint

If you suspect your privacy may have been breached or you are unhappy with our response to a request for access, we ask that you speak to the Practice Manager or Dr Galanopoulos, as soon as possible. We may request that you make your complaint in writing. Again, this helps us investigate your concerns thoroughly. We will respond within 30 days of receiving your complaint.

How to contact us

Dr Anna Galanopoulos, Suite 1, 1 Kermode Street, North Adelaide, 5006