Health information privacy statement

The Privacy Act 1998 (Cth) regulates how all private sector providers handle patient health information. This medical practice requires a patient to provide us with their personal details and a full medical history so that we may properly assist, diagnose and treat illnesses and be pro-active in their health care.

There is no obligation for a patient to provide any health information requested of them, but a failure to do so might compromise the quality of health care and treatment given to them.

The patient health information contained within a medical record will be used in the following ways:

1. Identified disclosure for administrative purposes required in the running of this medical practice.

2. Identified disclosure for billing purposes, including compliance with Medicare and Health Insurance Commission requirements.

3. Identified disclosure to others involved in patient health care, including treating doctors and specialists outside this medical practice.

4. De-identified disclosure for the purposes of research, education, training, quality assurance and marketing.

De-identification of information.

De-identified disclosure requires (1) removing personal identifiers (i.e. name, address, date of birth or other identifying information) and (2) removing other information that may allow a patient to be identified (e.g. rare or remarkable characteristics or conditions) before being used.

Access to information.

A patient has the right to access the information collected about them, except in circumstances where access might be legitimately withheld. A patient will be provided with an explanation, should access be legitimately withheld.

A fee may be charged for a patient to access information collected about them. This fee is for time and administrative costs only and may not be covered by a Medicare rebate.

A privacy statement is available, on request, which contains information about accessing and seeking correction of personal information, privacy complaints handling, and any identified disclosures of information to overseas recipients.

Photography.

Photographs of a patient's condition and treatment may be taken. A patient may inform their dermatologist if they do not wish to be photographed.

Other uses. 

Further consent from a patient will be obtained if their information is used for any purpose other than set out in this statement.  

Our medical practice may vary policies from time to time and without notice. A patient may request information about policy changes or view them on our website. gsdermatology.com.au/policy