Privacy Policy

Purpose - The purpose of this policy is to clearly state the protocol for handling personal information, including health information. 

Policy - This policy outlines how the practice handles personal information collected (including health information) and how the security of this information is protected. A privacy statement is made available to clients and anyone who requests it. 

There are no degrees of privacy. All client information, including the information of employees who may be clients, must be considered private and confidential, even that which is seen or heard. Therefore, such information is not to be disclosed to family, friends, employees or others without the client’s approval. Sometimes details about a client’s medical history or other contextual information, such as details of an appointment, can identify them - even if no name is attached to that information. This is still considered health information and it must be protected. Client information may not be disclosed either verbally, in writing, in electronic form, or by copying, either at the practice or outside it, during or outside work hours, except for strictly approved use within the client care context, or as legally directed.

Privacy Statement - This statement informs clients how their health information will be used. This includes the sharing of information to other organisations to which the practice usually discloses client health information, and any law that requires the particular information to be collected. Client consent to the handling and sharing of health information should be provided at an early stage in the process of client care. Clients should be made aware of the collection statement when giving consent to share health information.

In general, quality improvement or audit activities for the purpose of seeking to improve the delivery of a particular treatment or service is considered a directly related secondary purpose for information use or disclosure. Specific consent for this use of client health information is not required.
 

Informed Consent - Clients are informed of practice policies regarding the collection and management of their personal health information via:

• New client forms 
• Verbally
• Practice website                              

Prior to a client signing consent to the release of health information, they are made aware that they can request a full copy of the privacy policy and collection statement.