Building Stronger Communities

 Part 1 – About This Policy 

1.1 Purpose 

This privacy policy covers all personal information we hold, that is, information, or an opinion about an individual, whose identity is apparent, or can be reasonably ascertained, from that information or opinion. This includes information we have collected from people through our office, over the phone and over the internet. 

When we collect personal information from an individual, we will ensure that we do so in a fair manner and that we let the individual know where and how to contact Growth, Relationships, Opportunity. We will only collect information that is necessary for one or more of our functions or activities. We will advise individuals or the purpose for which their personal information is collected.  

If we collect sensitive information (as defined under the Act), we will treat it with the utmost security and confidentiality. We will ensure that it is not collected for any purposes, other than those for which we have obtained the individual’s consent, unless the law requires otherwise, or other exceptional circumstances prevail as described under the Act. Where an individual chooses not to provide requested information, we will advise that individual of what consequences this non-disclosure may have. For example, withholding certain information may limit our ability to provide relevant offers or services to individuals. 

Growth, Relationships, Opportunity complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), other privacy laws that govern how private sector health service providers like Growth, Relationships, Opportunity handle your personal information (including your health information) and the Australian Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics (2020).  

This Privacy Policy explains how Growth, Relationships, Opportunity manages the personal information we collect, use and disclose. Growth, Relationships, Opportunity is a private practice under the ownership of Don Mackenzie. 

Part 2 – How Growth, Relationships, Opportunity Handles Your Personal Information 

2.1 Growth, Relationships, Opportunity’s Legal Obligations 

In order to provide you with the health care services that you have requested; Growth, Relationships, Opportunity will need to collect and use your personal information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us or withhold personal and health information from us, we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking. By engaging with therapy sessions, you consent for Growth, Relationships, Opportunity to use Heidi Health transcription services in each session to accurately and efficiently record progress notes and reports. The Heidi Health software is ISO 27001 Certified, and complies with the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act 1988. More information can be found at https://www.heidihealth.com/au/safety#  

2.2 What information does Growth, Relationships, Opportunity collect? 

We will only collect the information we need for the particular function or activity we are carrying out. We collect information from you that is necessary to provide you with therapy services and to manage our relationship with you. The information we collect includes: your name, date of birth, address, health fund details and information about your health history and family history. We require this information to assist the allied health professional to support you.  

2.3 How does Growth, Relationships, Opportunity collect health information? 

We will usually collect your health information directly from you. Sometimes, we may need to collect information about you from a third party (such as a relative or another health service provider). 

2.4 How does Growth, Relationships, Opportunity use your information?  

Growth, Relationships, Opportunity uses your personal information for the purpose you have given the information to us. We will use your information to provide therapy services to you, to manage our relationship with you and to contact you in relation to matters concerning your care. We may also use your information for other purposes permitted under the Privacy Act 1988. 

2.5 Who might we disclose your information to? 

We may disclose your information to the following people: 

(a) disclosure to other health professionals involved in your treatment 

Your personal information will generally only be used by the allied health practitioner involved in your care, however on occasion your care may be provided by a number of health professionals (for example, social worker, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and/or psychologist) working or consulting together. We may disclose your information to these health professionals as part of the process of providing your care and to other health professionals involved in your care. 

(b) the referrer 

Growth, Relationships, Opportunity will usually send a discharge summary to the referrer (i.e. your medical practitioner) following discharge from Growth, Relationships, Opportunity or at other times, as required for your care.  

If you do not wish us to provide a copy of your discharge summary to the referrer you must let us know. Also, if the referrer’s details have changed, please let us know.  

(c) Relatives, guardian, close friends or legal representative 

We may provide information about your condition to your parent, child, other relatives, close personal friends, guardians, or to a responsible person for you, unless you tell us that you do not wish us to disclose your health information to any such person. 

Other uses and disclosures 

In order to provide the best possible environment in which to treat you, we may also use or disclose your personal and health information where necessary for: 

•      activities such as clinical supervision, quality assurance processes, accreditation, audits, risk and claims management, patient satisfaction surveys and staff education and training; 

•      invoicing, billing and account management; 

•      to liaise with your health fund, Medicare or the Department of Veteran's Affairs and where required provide information to your health fund, Medicare or the Department of Veteran's Affairs to verify treatment provided to you;  

•      the purpose of sending you standard reminders, for example for appointments and follow-up care, by text message or email to the number or address which you have provided to us; 

•      compliance with relevant legislation regarding a client’s real or perceived harm to self or others, or other mandatory reporting requirements.  

Other uses with your consent 

We will only disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. This means that personal information may be disclosed:
•    For the purposes for which we have advised that we are collecting it, and for related purposes that the individual would reasonably expect,
•    Where we have the consent of the individual to do so,
•    As required by law, or
•    Under other circumstances where permitted under the Act. 

In the course of our business activities, we may need to disclose some of your personal information to relevant staff. With your consent we may also use your information for other purposes such as including you on a marketing mail list, or research. Please note, however, that unless you provide us with your express consent for this purpose, we will not use your information in this way. We will not disclose your personal information to any individual who is outside Australia. 

2.6 Access to and correction of your health information  

You have a right to access the personal and health information that we hold about you. You can also request an amendment to your personal and health information should you believe that it is inaccurate.  

If we do not agree to change your medical record/personal information in accordance with your request, we will permit you to make a statement of the requested changes and we will enclose this with your record.  

Should you wish to obtain access to or request changes to your health record you can ask for our Privacy Officer (see details below) who can give you more detailed information about Growth, Relationships, Opportunity's access and correction procedure. 

Please note that Growth, Relationships, Opportunity may recover reasonable costs associated with supplying this information to you.  

2.7 Data Quality  

Growth, Relationships, Opportunity will take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information which we may collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up to date.