PRIVACY POLICY

This privacy policy informs patients about how personal and health information is collected, used,
and shared by our practice.

Consent Requirements
When you register as a patient of Sydney Women’s Wellness, you provide consent for our GPs and practice staff to access and use
your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal
information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.

Purpose of Information Collection
We collect personal information to provide health care services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health.

Types of Information Collected
The information we will collect about you includes your:

  • names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
  • medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors
  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
  • healthcare identifiers
  • health fund details.

Methods of Collection
Information may be collected during appointments, through electronic health records, and via communication (e.g., email, website
interactions). We may also gather information from third parties, when necessary, often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:

  • your guardian or responsible person
  • 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).

Sharing Personal Information
We may share information with accredited third parties (such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy), healthcare providers, or when legally required (eg court subpoenas).
Personal data will not be shared outside Australia without consent.

We will not use personal information for direct marketing without explicit consent. De-identified data may be shared for quality
improvement, audits, purposes, ensuring patient anonymity.

Access and Correction Rights
Patients can request access to their records and ask for corrections.

  • Records for personal use – kindly send an email/letter via registered post stating your full name, date of birth, and either your Medicare Card number or Home Address with the list of records you wish to have a copy of. Fees may be incurred depending on the complexity of request.
  • Records for the use of a third party – We require you to put this in writing by completing a Request for Personal Health Information Form from the requesting party specifying if the request is for the full medical records or a list medical document needed, and our practice will respond within a reasonable time. Fees will be incurred depending on the complexity of request.

From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also
request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing by requesting to fill out our
“Missing Data Form” via paper form or online link.

Complaints Handling
Privacy concerns, suggestions and/or complaints can be discussed with either your doctor on the day of your visit or the Practice
Manager in writing to 2/95 Greenwich Road Greenwich. This ensures confidentiality of your medical/sensitive matters and that your matter will be passed on to the most appropriate person for response. We cannot guarantee the safety or confidentiality of your matter if you send it to us via email. In most cases, we will respond to you in writing, via your postal address we have on file.

Please expect a response enclosing the outcome 15 – 30 days after receipt.

You may also contact the OAIC. Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond before they investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.

Website Interactions
Personal information may be collected through our website and social media interactions. By engaging online, patients consent to this data collection.

Policy Review
This policy will be regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

To read the full version of this document, please contact our practice manager for a digital copy to be sent for your review.