As a patient of our Practice we require you to provide us with your personal details and medical history so that we may properly assess, diagnose, manage and be proactive in your health care needs. The privacy of your health information is important to us. Your medical record is a confidential document and as such it is the policy of this practice to maintain the security of your personal health information at all times. From time to time your personal health information may be collected, used and disclosed for the following reasons:

• Administration purposes in running our medical practice
• Billing purposes, including compliance with Medicare and Health Insurance Commission requirements
• Disclosure to other doctors in the Practice for the purpose of continuity of care and professional development
• For communication with others involved in your care, such as specialists and allied health providers, through referral to these services and in receiving reports or results returned to us following referral
• As part of quality improvement activities and/or participation in research, either within the practice or externally organized. Wherever possible all information used will be de-identified. Where it is not possible to de-identify information, your additional consent will be sought and you will be given the opportunity to “opt-out” of any involvement before your information is used.
• In the teaching of medical or nursing students on clinical placement in our practice from time to time. When a student is present in the practice, you will always have the right to refuse the student’s involvement in your consultation. This will be discussed and consent received prior to the consult.
• To comply with any legislative or regulatory requirements (such as notifiable diseases)
• For notifying you about health services that may be due or which require follow-up with your GP (including inclusion on national and state registers, such as the Childhood Immunisation Register and The National Cancer Screening Register).
• If they are legally obliged to disclose the information, in which case your GP will first discuss with you the information that she or he is legally obliged to disclose

If you have any concerns about the use of your personal health information, please speak with your GP or our Practice Manager. You may also request a copy of our Practice Privacy Policy at any time if you would like more information or click here for a PDF copy