Hobart Wonderings Occupational Therapy for Children & Families
Privacy Policy for Client Information
Purpose and context
Hobart Wonderings is committed to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information affiliated with Hobart Wonderings business undertakings.
Hobart Wonderings follows the terms and conditions of privacy and confidentiality in accordance to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as per schedule 1 of the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 (Cth), forming part of the Privacy Act 1988 (‘the Act’).
The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to clearly communicate how Hobart Wonderings collects and manages personal information.
The point of contact regarding any queries regarding this policy is Myf Murphy, Director, Hobart Wonderings phone: 6144 6432 Email: hello@hobartwonderings.com.
Australian Privacy Principles
As a private sector health service provider and under permitted health situations, Hobart Wonderings is required to comply with the APPs as prescribed under the Act.
The APPs regulate how Hobart Wonderings may collect, use, disclose and store personal information and how individuals, including Hobart Wondering’s clients may:
address breaches of the APPs by Hobart Wonderings
access their own personal information; and,
correct their own personal information.
In order to provide clients with adequate health care services, Hobart Wonderings will need to collect and use personal information. It is important to be aware that if the client provides incomplete or inaccurate information or the client withholds personal health information Hobart Wonderings may not be able to provide the client with the services they are requesting.
In this Privacy Policy, common terms and definitions include:
"personal information" as defined by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Meaning "information or an opinion including information or an opinion forming part of a database, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material format or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion"; and,
"health information" as defined by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This is a particular subset of "personal information" and means:
Information or opinion about the health or disability (at any time i.e. past, present or future) of an individual that can be classified as personal information;
Information or opinion about an individual’s expressed wishes about the future provision of health services that can be classified as personal information;
Information or opinion about health service provided, or to be provided, to an individual, that can be classified as personal information;
Other personal information collected to provide, or in providing, a health service;
Other personal information about an individual collected in connection with the donation, or intended donation, by the individual of his or her body parts, organs or body substances; or
Genetic information about an individual in a form that is, or could be, predictive of the health of the individual or a genetic relative of the individual.
Personal information also includes 'sensitive information' which is information including, but not limited to a client’s:
race;
religion;
political opinions;
sexual preferences; and/or,
health information.
Information deemed 'sensitive information' attracts a higher privacy standard under the Act and is subject to additional mechanisms for the client’s protection.
Types of Personal Information
Hobart Wonderings collects information from each individual client that is necessary to provide the client with adequate Hobart Wonderings services.
This may include collecting information about a client’s health history, family history, ethnic background or current lifestyle to assist the therapy team in diagnosing and treating a client’s condition.
Collection & Retention
This information will in most circumstances be collected directly from the client through but not limited to the following mediums:
Hobart Wonderings client consent form;
medical treatment form; referrals and or,
face to face consultation.
In other instances, Hobart Wonderings may need to collect personal information about a client from a third-party source. This may include:
relatives; or,
other health service providers.
This will only be conducted if the client has provided consent for Hobart Wonderings to collect his/her information from a third-party source; or, where it is not reasonable or practical for Hobart Wonderings to collect this information directly from the client. This may include where:
the client’s health is potentially at risk and his/her personal information is needed to provide them with emergency medical treatment.
Hobart Wonderings endeavours to store and retain a client’s personal & health information in an electronic record system stored on our practice management software.
Purpose of Collection, Use, and Disclosure
Hobart Wonderings only uses a client’s personal information for the purpose(s) they have provided the information for unless one of the following applies:
the client has consented Hobart Wonderings to use his/her information for an alternative or additional purpose;
the disclosure of the client’s information by Hobart Wonderings is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of criminal law or a law imposing a penalty or sanction, or for the protection of public revenue;
the disclosure of the client’s information by Hobart Wonderings will prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to somebody's life or health; or,
Hobart Wonderings is required or authorised by law to disclose the client’s information for another purpose.
Health Professionals to provide treatment
During the client’s service provision at Hobart Wonderings he/she/they may be referred to alternative medical treatment/services (i.e. Paediatrician, GP) where Hobart Wonderings staff may consult with other health professional when determining client’s needs.
Hobart Wonderings staff may also refer the client to other health service providers for further services. These services include, but are not limited to
Physiotherapy; Speech therapy; Psychology, Outclient or community health services.
These health professionals will be designated health service providers appointed to use the client’s health information as part of the process of providing treatment. Please note that this process will be conducted whilst maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of the client’s personal information.
Alternative Health Services
At any point a client wishes to be treated by an alternative medical practitioner or health care service that requires access to his/her personal/health information Hobart Wonderings requires written authorisation. This written authorisation is to state that the client will be utilising alternative health services and that these health services have consented for a transfer of personal/health information.
Other Third Parties
Hobart Wonderings may provide the client’s personal information regarding a client’s treatment or condition to additional third parties. These third parties may include:
parent(s);
child/ren;
other relatives;
close personal friends;
guardians; or,
a person exercising a client’s power of attorney under an enduring power of attorney.
Where information is relevant or reasonable to be provided to third parties, written consent from the client is required.
Additionally, the client may at any time wish to disclose that no third parties as stated are to access or be informed about his/her personal information or circumstances.
Other Uses of Personal Information
In order to provide the best possible environment to treat clients, Hobart Wonderings may also use personal/health information where necessary for:
activities such as quality assurance processes, accreditation, audits, risk and claims management, client satisfaction surveys and staff education and training;
invoicing, billing and account management;
to liaise with a client’s health fund, Medicare or the Department of Veteran's Affairs, as necessary; and,
the purpose of complying with any applicable laws – i.e. in response to a subpoena or compulsory reporting to State or Federal authorities.
If at any point or for any of the aforementioned reasons Hobart Wonderings uses or discloses personal/ health information in accordance with the APPs, Hobart Wonderings will provide written notice for the client’s consent for the use and/or disclosure.
Access and Changes to Personal Information
If an individual client reasonably requests access to their personal information for the purposes of changing the information he/she must engage with the relevant practice manager.
The point of contact for client access to personal information is:
Myf Murphy
Director
6144 6432
hello@hobartwonderings.com
Mon-Fri.
Once an individual client requests access to his/her personal information Hobart Wonderings will respond within a reasonable period of time to provide the information.
All personal information will be updated in accordance to any changes to a client’s personal circumstances brought to Hobart Wondering’s attention. All changes to personal information will be subject to client’s consent and acknowledgement.
If an individual requests access to his/her personal information Hobart Wonderings will charge $50 per hour. Please note that this fee is associated with administrative costs only.
Complaints Handling
Clients who would like to make a complaint about a perceived breach of the Australian Privacy Principles through Hobart Wonderings, can do so by contacting the Director at Hobart Wonderings. (see above).
Hobart Wonderings is dedicated to ensuring your information is secure. In the event that a breach of your information is identified, affected clients will be notified by Hobart Wonderings and informed of our processes for handling any breaches. If at any stage a client identifies a breach of their privacy, they are requested to speak to the practice manager about lodging their concerns formally.
Disposal of Personal/Health Information
If Hobart Wonderings receives any unsolicited personal information that is not deemed appropriate for the permitted health situation, Hobart Wonderings will reasonably de-identify and dispose of the information accordingly.
If Hobart Wonderings holds any personal or health information that is no longer deemed relevant or appropriate for the permitted health situation, Hobart Wonderings will reasonably de-identify and dispose of the information accordingly.
Access to Policy
Hobart Wonderings provides free copies of this Privacy Policy for clients and staff to access, which can be/will be located/provided:
www.hobartwonderings.com
Staff Policy and Procedure Manual
Hard Copies provided upon request
Review of Policy
Hobart Wonderings in accordance with any legislative change will review the terms and conditions of this policy to ensure all content is both accurate and up to date.
Notification of any additional review(s) or alteration(s) to this policy will be provided to clients and staff within 2 weeks’ notice. If a change occurs clients are required by Hobart Wonderings to review this Privacy policy. Staff are required to sign once they have reviewed the Privacy policy.
Contact us
To contact us regarding any privacy-related matter described in the policy, please contact: Myf Murphy, Wonderings. Occupational Therapy for Children & Families. hello@hobartwonderings.com
