1.0 Action Rehab is committed to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information affiliated with Action Rehab business undertakings.
1.1 Action Rehab 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’).
1.2 The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to clearly communicate how Action Rehab collects and manages personal information.
1.3 The point of contact regarding any queries regarding this policy is the Practice Manager, Action Rehab, Phone: 1300 762 227 Email: info@actionrehab.com.au.
2.0 As a private sector health service provider and under permitted health situations, Action Rehab is required to comply with the APPs as prescribed under the Act.
2.1 The APPs regulate how Action Rehab may collect, use, disclose and store personal information and how individuals, including Action Rehab’s patients may:
2.2 In order to provide patients with adequate health care services, Action Rehab will need to collect and use personal information. It is important to be aware that if the patient provides incomplete or inaccurate information or the patient withholds personal health information Action Rehab may not be able to provide the patient with the services they are requesting.
2.3 In this Privacy Policy, common terms and definitions include:
2.3.1 Personal information also includes ‘sensitive information’ which is information including, but not limited to a patient’s:
2.3.2 Information deemed ‘sensitive information‘ attracts a higher privacy standard under the Act and is subject to additional mechanisms for the patient’s protection.
3.0 Action Rehab collects information from each individual patient that is necessary to provide the patient with adequate Therapy services.
3.1 This may include collecting information about a patient’s health history, family history, ethnic background or current lifestyle to assist the Clinical team in diagnosing and treating a patient’s condition.
4.0 This information will in most circumstances be collected directly from the patient through but not limited to the following mediums:
a) Action Rehab patient consent form;
b) medical treatment form; referrals and or,
c) face to face consultation.
4.1 In other instances, Action Rehab may need to collect personal information about a patient from a third party source. This may include:
4.2 This will only be conducted if the patient has provided consent for Action Rehab to collect his/her information from a third party source; or, where it is not reasonable or practical for Action Rehab to collect this information directly from the patient. This may include where:
the patient’s health is potentially at risk and his/her personal information is needed to provide them with emergency medical treatment.
4.3 Action Rehab endeavours to store and retain a patient’s personal & health information in an electronic record system stored on our practice server.
5.0 Action Rehab only uses a patient’s personal information for the purpose(s) they have provided the information for unless one of the following applies:
During the patient’s treatment at Action Rehab he/she may be referred to alternative medical treatment/services (i.e. pathology or radiology) where Action Rehab’s staff may consult with senior medical experts when determining a patient’s diagnosis or treatment.
Action Rehab staff may also refer the patient to other health service providers for further treatment during and following the patient’s admission. These services include, but are not limited to:
These health professionals will be designated health service providers appointed to use the patient’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 patient’s personal information.
At any point a patient wishes to be treated by an alternative medical practitioner or health care service that requires access to his/her personal/health information Action Rehab requires written authorisation. This written authorisation is to state that the patient will be utilising alternative health services and that these health services have consented for a transfer of personal/health information.
Action Rehab may provide the patient’s personal information regarding a patient’s treatment or condition to additional third parties. These third parties may include:
Where information is relevant or reasonable to be provided to third parties, written consent from the patient is required.
Additionally, the patient 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.
In order to provide the best possible environment to treat patients, Action Rehab may also use personal/health information where necessary for:
5.1 If at any point or for any of the aforementioned reasons Action Rehab uses or discloses personal/ health information in accordance with the APPs, Action Rehab will provide written notice for the patient’s consent for the use and/or disclosure.
6.0 If an individual patient reasonably requests access to their personal information for the purposes of changing the information he/she must engage with the relevant practice manager.
6.1 The point of contact for patient access to personal information is:
The Practice Manager
Action Rehab
1300 762 227
info@actionrehab.com.au
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
6.2 Once an individual patient requests access to his/her personal information Action Rehab will respond within a reasonable period of time to provide the information.
6.3 All personal information will be updated in accordance to any changes to a patient’s personal circumstances brought to Action Rehab’s attention. All changes to personal information will be subject to patient’s consent and acknowledgement.
6.4 If an individual requests access to his/her personal information Action Rehab will charge $36. Please note that this fee is associated with administrative costs only.
7.0 Patients, who would like to make a complaint about a perceived breach of the Australian Privacy Principles through Action Rehab Pty Ltd, can do so by contacting the Practice Manager at Action Rehab (see 6.1 above).
8.0 Use of Overseas Parties:
(a) Action Rehab does engage with overseas entities, with which personal or health information would be transferred, appointed or disclosed. These overseas entities include:
i. Mailchimp & Coreplus – used to disseminate Action Rehab newsletters controlled by The Practice Manager, Action Rehab
The aforementioned entities engaged overseas are subject to the legislative requirements as stipulated by the APPs.
9.0 If Action Rehab receives any unsolicited personal information that is not deemed appropriate for the permitted health situation, Action Rehab will reasonably de-identify and dispose of the information accordingly.
9.1 If Action Rehab holds any personal or health information that is no longer deemed relevant or appropriate for the permitted health situation, Action Rehab will reasonably de-identify and dispose of the information accordingly.
10.0 Action Rehab provides free copies of this Privacy Policy for patients and staff to access, which can be located/provided:
Website
Actionrehab.com.au
Policy and Procedure Manual
Hard Copies provided upon request in writing to: The Practice Manager, PO Box 264, St Kilda 3182
11.1 Action Rehab 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.
11.2 Notification of any additional review(s) or alteration(s) to this policy will be provided to patients and staff within 2 weeks’ notice. If change occurs patients are required by Action Rehab to review this Privacy policy. Staff are required to sign they have reviewed the Privacy policy.