This privacy policy provides information on how your personal information including your health information is collected and used at Sovereign Medical Centre, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties. We are committed to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information affiliated with our Practice’s business undertakings.
Sovereign Medical Centre complies with the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles (AAPs).
The APPs regulate how our Practice may collect, use, disclose, and store personal information and how individuals including our patients may: address breaches of the AAPs by our Practice and access and correct personal information.
What personal information do we collect?
The information we will collect about you includes your:
o names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
o medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history, and risk factors
o Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
o healthcare identifier
o health fund details
Please note personal information also includes sensitive information, which is information including, but not limited to a patient’s:
o race
o religion
o political opinions
o sexual preferences
o other health information
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; and
- 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.
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.
Sovereign Medical Centre 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 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.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us.