The Osteopath is committed to providing you professional Osteopathic services. This includes protecting your privacy. The Privacy Act 1988 sets out a number of principles concerning the protection of your personal information.
The Privacy Act requires us to communicate certain information to all of our patients. We recommend that you read the following information.
Your Personal Information
Personal information collected and held by The Osteopath may include contact details (name, address, phone numbers, and email address), demographic information, clinical and medical information, and payment records. The purpose for which we collect and hold your personal information is to maintain your healthcare and we are also legally required to have clinical records of your consultation.
We may also hold medical/clinical information received from your GP or allied health practitioner/s.
If you choose not to provide personal information, we may not be able to provide you with the service you require or the level of service with which we pride ourselves.
How we collect your personal information
We collect your personal information in a number of ways, including:
- Directly from you via phone, email, face to face and during your consultation
- From you via online booking system on our website
- From your GP and allied health practitioners
Your personal information will be stored on our secure online software Cliniko.
How we use your personal information
Your personal information may be used by:
- Our reception staff to contact you or retrieve medical information ie. Scan reports, chronic disease management plans, and to inform you of clinic news via our newsletter.
- Our Osteopaths to provide Osteopathic services
- Our booking software (Cliniko) to generate a confirmation appointment email and a reminder text message the day before your appointment.
When we disclose your personal information
For purposes set our under “how we use your personal information’, we may disclose your personal information outside The Osteopathic clinic. Written consent is received before information is disclosed, via a consent form.
The parties whom we may disclose information may include:
- General practitioner (GP) – forms completed faxed/emailed to GP for chronic disease management plans, DVA and third party insurance. Letter regarding your complaint/injury to allow communication between practitioner and GP.
- Radiology clinic – your name and date of birth used to retrieve scan/investigation results
- DVA/third party insurance companies to provide healthcare under these services
- Medical certificate – if you require a medical certificate it will state your name and reason for medical certificate.
- Outsourced service providers – constant contact for our quarterly newsletter- only email address given. If you wish to opt out of this service, please tick appropriate box on consent form. Alternatively, press ‘unsubscribe’ button at bottom of newsletter.
Help us ensure we hold accurate information
The Osteopath takes all-reasonable precautions to ensure that the personal information we collect, use, disclose is accurate, and up to date. The accuracy of this information depends on the information that you provide. We recommend that you:
- Let us know if there are any errors in your personal information
- Notify us of any changes to your personal information
You can access your personal information
You have the right to access your personal information, subject to some exceptions allowed by the law. If you would like to do so, please contact us via email or letter, as you are required to place your request in writing for security reasons.
The Osteopath reserves the right to charge a fee of $20 for searching, providing access and copying your personal information.
Security of your personal information
The Osteopath takes steps to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised disclosure or destruction. The Osteopath has accepted standards of technology and operational security in place to keep your information safe.
Only The Osteopath staff may access your personal information for approved purposes. We have policies in place to reasonably ensure your personal information is kept safe.
Complaints
If you have a complaint regarding a breach of your personal information, please use the contact details below to inform us of your complaint to ensure it is dealt with appropriately using our complaints handling procedure.
Contact details
If you have any questions please contact The Osteopath
Phone- 07 5451 1599
Email – maroochy@theosteopath.net.au
Address – PO Box 6020, Maroochydore 4558 QLD
Privacy Officer- Cassandra Lacey – Owner/Director/Osteopath