At Vanessa Murray Speech Pathology we value your privacy. We aim to inform you about how your personal information, including your health information, is collected and used within our practice. This document outlines the instances in which we may share this information with third parties.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

Your information may be collected by Vanessa Murray Speech Pathology in a number of different ways:

If you are referred to Vanessa Murray Speech Pathology by your GP or specialist, it will generally include information such as your names, date of birth, relevant medical history and relevant medical diagnoses (if known) and treatment, if treatment has been provided.

When you make your first appointment our reception staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.

Further information may be collected from you during the course of services being provided.

We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, call us, make an online appointment or communicate with us 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, caregiver, authorised representative or plan nominee

• 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).

We need to collect, store, use and share your relevant personal information in order to provide you with best practice speech pathology services. We may also use it for business activities that are directly related to the service, including financial claims and payments, clinical audits and business processes.

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained

• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose

• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure

• Where required or authorised by law.
  

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

Your Personal Information may be stored in various forms including paper records, electronic records, visual records (X-rays, scans, videos and photos and audio recordings.

Our clinic stores all personal information securely by storing data on secure information systems and services, ensuring information is protected with passwords and making sure clinic staff know how to manage and protect your health information.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information.

However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

Vanessa Murray Speech Pathology will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information.

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Remaining Anonymous is Your Right

While you have the right to remain anonymous or use a different name, we will not be able to process Medicare claims or submit invoices to your plan managers until the name used on official documents is provided.

You may remain anonymous or use a different name unless it becomes impractical or legally mandated to identify you.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure.

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at:

370 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North Vic 3068

vanessa@vmspeechpathology.com.au

Privacy and our website

To improve your experience on our website, we may use ‘cookies’. Cookies are an industry standard and most major web sites use them. A cookie is a small text file that our site may place on your computer as a tool to remember your preferences. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however, please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of our website.

Our website may contain links to other websites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites.

Within our operational framework, our website incorporates a dedicated form intended for the submission of personal information essential for facilitating care at Vanessa Murray Speech Pathology. This data is subject to systematic collection and secure storage within designated databases. Access to these databases is strictly controlled. Only clinical staff who require access to clinical records will have a password which enables them to do so.

Policy review statement

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. The current policy is available on clinic websites and available upon request at individual clinical receptions.