Privacy Policy

Eastbound Medical Clinic Privacy Policy. Current as of: November 2020. Adapted from the RACGP Privacy Policy template.

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 (e.g. staff training).

What personal information do we collect?

The information we will collect about you includes:

• 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 and/or Veterans’ number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
• Healthcare identifiers and health fund details
• Next of kin and emergency contacts

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 will collect your personal information when you make your first appointment (via your registration) and during the course of providing medical services. Information can also be collected through Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (eTP) and My Health Record (e.g. via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary), and when you send us an email or reply 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, such as your guardian or responsible person; other healthcare providers (specialists, allied health, hospitals, community health, pathology and diagnostic imaging); or your health fund, Medicare or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Who do we share your personal information with?

We sometimes share your personal information: with third parties who work with our practice for business purposes (such as accreditation agencies or IT providers, who are required to comply with the APPs and this policy); with other healthcare providers; when required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas); when necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety; to assist in locating a missing person; to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim; for a confidential dispute resolution process; or where there is a statutory requirement (e.g. mandatory disease notification). Only people that need to access your information will be able to do so. We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances permitted by law) without your consent, and we will not use it for direct marketing without your express consent (you may opt out at any time in writing).

How do we store and protect your personal information?

Your personal information may be stored in secure electronic format in protected information systems, as paper records in secure locked on-site premises or staff-only areas, and as visual records. Each staff member has their own secure password, confidentiality agreements are signed by staff and contractors, and screens are positioned or locked so that patient information is not visible to others.

How can you access and correct your personal information?

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. We require requests in writing and will respond within a reasonable time (e.g. 30 days). You will be advised in advance of any fees (e.g. photocopying, registered postage). Requests to correct or update information can be made through reception, your GP, or in writing to the Practice Manager, Eastbound Medical Clinic, 179 East Boundary Rd, Bentleigh East VIC 3165.

Privacy-related complaints

We take privacy concerns seriously. Please raise concerns in writing via reception@eastboundclinic.com.au, in writing to the Practice Manager at the address above, or by telephoning the Practice Manager on (03) 9579 3522. We will acknowledge your communication as soon as possible and give a time frame for our response. You may also contact the OAIC (www.oaic.gov.au, 1300 336 002) or the Health Complaints Commissioner (hcc.vic.gov.au, 1300 582 113).

Privacy and our website / Facebook

We do not collect personal information via our practice website or Facebook page. We use de-identified data to analyse Google searches and Facebook data. Reviews have been disabled for the Eastbound Facebook page.

Policy review statement

This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes in State or Federal legislation. Patients are informed of these changes via our website.

See also our Electronic Communication Policy.