Sydney Breast Clinic is committed to providing quality health care for its patients. As a fundamental part of this, doctors and staff recognise the importance of ensuring that our patients are fully informed and involved in their health care.

As a health provider in the private sector we are bound by National Privacy Principles. These principles set the standards by which we handle personal information collected from our patients. The following policy describes the sort of information we hold and why, as well as how that information is collected, held used and disclosed. It applies equally to conventional and electronic information.

Copies of the following are available at reception desk for your perusal:

• The NSW Health  Records and Information Privacy Act 2002
• Handbook for the Management of Health Information in
  Private Practice
• AMA Privacy Resource Handbook

What personal information may be collected?

As part of our commitment to providing quality health care it is necessary for us to maintain files pertaining to your health. The files contain the following types of information:

• Personal details (your name, address, date of birth, Medicare number)
• Your medical history
• Notes made during the course of medical consultations
• Referrals to other health service providers
• Result and reports received from other health service providers (eg pathology and radiology)

How will this personal information be collected?

The information held about you is provided by you, your referring doctor and arises as a consequence of information provided by you. This may take place when the patient fills out documents, forms or when the patient gives us personal information in person, or over the phone.

In certain circumstances, Sydney Breast Clinic will need to collect personal information from third parties e.g. your referring doctor, external treating health professionals (e.g. surgeon) or a patient’s health service provider.

What will this personal information be used for?

• To provide the requested services
• Administer and manage those services, including billing and collecting debts
• Research purposes – only de-identified information may be used for statistical and evaluative purposes
• Teaching purposes – only de-identified information may be used
• Professional accreditation, quality assurance activities and clinical auditing
• To send reminder and recall letters
• To gain an understanding of the patient’s service needs so we may provide them with the best service.

Who will this personal information be provided to?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Your file will be accessed by staff involved in your care. All staff contractors and students have signed a confidentiality agreement  before commencing employment with or visiting Sydney Breast Clinic. Any breach of your privacy is regarded as very serious and will impose appropriate penalties, including dismissal. We may need to disclose part of your personal information to:

• Your referring doctor
• Partner service providers such as pathologists and surgeons
• Others involved in your health care including medical practitioners and other allied health professionals for your ongoing medical treatment
• Our advisors (accountants, auditors and lawyers)
• Our insurers
• Organisations involved in marketing our services
• Research bodies
• When required by law (eg in response to a subpoena)

Where personal information is disclosed, Sydney Breast Clinic will seek to ensure that the information is held, used and disclosed consistently with the National Privacy Principles contained in the Act.

Accessing your Medical Records?

The best way to obtain medical records is in consultation with your referring doctor so they can be explained in the context of your healthcare.

You have the rights of access to any information we hold concerning you. Should you wish to access this information, Sydney Breast Clinic has a specific policy on the “Release of Medical Records”.

In order to maintain security of your information you will be required to show identification (drivers licence or passport) before we will be able to allow you access.

A medical practitioner can refuse patient access to their personal health information only if:

• Providing access would pose a serious threat to life or health of any individual
• Providing access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of other individuals
• The request for access is frivolous or vexatious
• Denying access is required or authorised by law

Storage of your Medical Records?

As part of our commitment to preserving the confidentiality of the information contained in your medical record we advise that strict secure storage policies are observed at Sydney Breast Clinic. Your electronic records are only accessible by staff of Sydney Breast Clinic and are protected by a security password. We take reasonable steps to protect it from misuse or loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Your paper records are kept in a secure area. This area is accessible only by Sydney Breast Clinic staff members and contractors who have signed a confidentiality agreement.

Keeping personal information accurate and up to date?

Sydney Breast Clinic takes all reasonable precautions to ensure that the personal information we collect, use and disclose is accurate, complete and up to date. We therefore suggest that you keep us as up to date with the changes to your personal information. Patients may do this by phone, mail or in person. You also have the right for information to be corrected if it is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

Any problems?

Should you at any time have a query or complaint in relation to our privacy policy please contact the Privacy Officer, who will endeavour to address any concerns you may have. We advise that any complaints regarding privacy is to be made in writing and addresses the Privacy Officer. Mark it private and confidential.

If you are not satisfied then you have the right to make complaints to the Privacy Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or in writing to Officer of Privacy Commissioner, GPO Box 5218 Sydney, NSW 1042.

Other association policies:

• Policy on Consent
• Client Charter of Rights and Responsibilities
• Customer Complaints Policy
• Patient Results
• Release of Medical Records
• Staff Confidentiality Agreement
• Referral of a Health Professional

All information on the Sydney Breast Clinic web site is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, re-transmitted, distributed or commercialised by any process without prior written permission from Sydney Breast Clinic.

Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to – Email: info@sydneybreastclinic.com.au