Articles
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important
This statement outlines the Perth Diet Clinic (“The Clinic”) policy on how it uses and manages personal information provided to or collected by it.
The Clinic is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act.
The Clinic may, from time to time, review and update this Privacy Policy to take account of new laws and technology, changes to the Clinic’s operations and practices and to make sure it remains appropriate to the changing health services environment.
What kind of personal information does the Clinic collect and how is it collected?
The type of information the Clinic collects and holds includes (but is not limited to) personal information, including sensitive information, about:
- Patients, family members and partners before, during and after consultation.
- Job applicants and employees.
- Doctors and medical practitioners whether referring patients or not.
- Nursing homes, hospitals, retirement villages, residential colleges, schools and other organisations providing food service, accommodation and/or health services.
- Service providers and other people who come into contact with the Clinic.
Personal Information provided by patients and medical practitioners:
The Clinic will generally collect personal information held about an individual by way of:
- Referrals, letters and notes from referring medical practitioners.
- Notes taken in face to face and telephone consultations with clients.
- Forms and questionnaires completed by clients during and following consultations.
Personal Information provided by other people:
In some circumstances the Clinic may be provided with personal information about an individual from a third party, for example, directly by a medical professional, an employer or a referee.
Exception in relation to employee records:
Under the Privacy Act the National Privacy Principles do not apply to an employee record. As a result, this Privacy Policy does not apply to the Clinic’s employee records, where directly related to a current or former employment relationship between the Clinic and employee.
How will the Clinic use personal information?
The Clinic will use personal information it collects for the primary purpose of collection (see below), and for such other secondary purposes that are related to the primary purpose of collection and reasonably expected, or for which consent has been given.
Patients: In relation to personal information of Patients, the primary purpose of collection is to enable the Clinic to provide professional dietary and health advice, to follow up on subsequent visits, and to collect fees for service.
Medical Practitioners: In relation to doctors and other medical practitioners, the primary purpose of collection is to enable the Clinic to respond to referrals of clients. A secondary purpose is to record names and addresses to provide details of Clinic services available, and changes in Clinic personnel.
Job applicants, staff members and service providers: In relation to personal information of job applicants, staff members and contractors, the Clinic’s primary purpose of collection is to assess and (if successful) to engage the applicant, staff member or service provider, as the case may be. The purpose for which the Clinic uses personal information of job applicants, staff members and service providers includes administering the individual’s employment or contract, for insurance purposes, and to meet tax and legal obligations.
To whom might the Clinic disclose personal information?
The Clinic may disclose personal information, including sensitive information, held about an individual to:
- A referring medical practitioner
- The Australian Taxation Office (only in relation to employees)
- Any other person or organisation when specific authorisation to disclose information has been provided by the individual.
Sending information overseas:
The Clinic will not send personal information about an individual outside Australia without:
- obtaining the consent of the individual (in some cases this consent will be implied); or
- otherwise complying with the National Privacy Principles.
How does the Clinic treat sensitive information?
“Sensitive Information” means: information relating to a person’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religion, trade union or other professional or trade association membership, sexual preferences or criminal record, that is also personal information; and health information about an individual. Sensitive information will be used and disclosed only for the purpose for which it was provided or a directly related secondary purpose, except where consent to use or disclose the sensitive information has been given by the individual or is allowed by law.
Management and security of personal information
The Clinic staff are required to respect the confidentiality of patients and clients personal information and the privacy of individuals.
The Clinic has in place steps to protect the personal information the Clinic holds from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure by use of various methods including locking procedures, secure storage of paper records and restricted access rights to computerised records.
The National Privacy Principles require the Clinic not to store personal information longer than necessary. Disposal of obsolete records is arranged through secure means.
Updating personal information
The Clinic endeavours to ensure that the personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date. A person may seek to update their personal information held by the Clinic by contacting the Privacy Officer of the Clinic at any time.
Checking personal information the Clinic holds
Under the Commonwealth Privacy Act, an individual has the right to obtain access to any personal information that the Clinic holds about them and to advise the Clinic of any perceived inaccuracy. There are some exceptions to this right set out in the Act. Children will generally have access to their personal information through their parents, but older children may seek access themselves. To make a request to access any information the Clinic holds, please contact the Clinic Privacy Officer. Such information may not be available immediately on request and individuals are advised to inform the Clinic of their intentions when making first contact.
The Clinic may require you to verify your identity and specify what information you require. The Clinic may charge a fee to cover the cost of verifying your application and locating, retrieving, reviewing and copying any material requested. The Clinic will advise the likely cost in advance.
Inquiries
If you would like further information about the way the Clinic manages the personal information it holds, please contact the Privacy Officer - Mrs. Peggy Stacy (Senior Dietitian).
Added to site on : Friday, 21 December 2001