Geoffrey Barnett, (Practice) takes your privacy seriously. Privacy protection and confidentiality of health information is essential for quality health care and we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the information we handle about you.

This policy explains:

  • how we collect, store, use and disclose your personal information;
  • how you may access your personal information;
  • how we protect the quality and security of your personal information;
  • how you may seek correction of any personal information we hold; and
  • how you may make a complaint about our handling of your personal information.    

In addition to our professional and ethical obligations, at a minimum, our Practice handles your personal information in accordance with federal and state privacy law.  This includes complying with the federal Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) forming part of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Victorian Health Privacy Principles (HPPs) forming part of the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

More information about the APPs and HPPs can be found on the Australian Information Commissioner’s website www.oaic.gov.au .

Collection of information

The Practice collects and holds personal information about you so that we may properly assess, diagnose, treat and be proactive in your health care needs.  

The type of personal information we collect may include:

  • personal details (name, address, date of birth, email address, phone numbers, Medicare number);
  • your medical history;
  • notes made during the course of a medical consultation;
  • referral to other health services providers;
  • results and reports received from other health service providers; and
  • credit card or direct debit information for billing purposes.

Wherever practicable we will collect this information from you personally – either at the Practice, over the phone, via written correspondence or via internet if you transact with us online.    

In some instances we may need to collect information about you from other sources such as referring doctors, treating specialists, pathology, radiology, hospitals or other health care providers.    

In an emergency, we may collect information from your immediate family, friends or carers

Use and disclosure

Your personal information will only be used or disclosed for purposes directly related to providing you with quality health care, or in ways you would reasonably expect us to use it in order to provide you with this service.  

This includes use or disclosure:  

  • to the professional team directly involved in your health care, including treating doctors, pathology services, radiology services and other specialists outside this medical practice.  For example, this may occur through referral to other doctors when requesting medical tests or in the report or result returned to us following the referrals;
  • to the Practice’s administrative staff for billing and other administrative tasks necessary to run our practice.  Our staff are trained in the handling of personal information in accordance with the Practice Privacy Policy;
  • to your health insurance fund, Medicare or other organisations responsible for the financial aspects of your care;
  • where required by law, for example, pursuant to a subpoena;
  • to insurers or lawyers for the defense of a medical claim; and/or
  • to assist with training and education of other health care professionals.

Our practice does not intend to disclose your personal information to overseas recipients.  

Information Quality

We aim to ensure the information we hold about you is accurate, complete, up to date and relevant. To this end our staff may ask you to confirm that your personal details are correct when you attend a consultation. Please let us know if any of the information we hold about you is incorrect or not up to date.

Storage

Our Practice takes all reasonable steps to protect the security of the personal information we hold, by:

  • securing our premises;
  • using passwords on all electronic systems and databases and varying access levels to protect electronic information from unauthorised interference, access, modification or disclosure;  and
  • storing hard copy records in secure filing cabinets or rooms that are accessible only to Practice staff.  

Access to your personal information

Under law you have a right to access personal information we hold about you. Please contact our Clinic Manager for more information on our Access to Medical Records Policy.

We ask that you put your request in writing. A fee for the retrieval and copying of your medical record may be, charged in accordance with the schedule of fees specified in the Health Records Regulations 2008 (Vic), plus GST. This fee is not redeemable through Medicare.

Amendment of your personal information

If you consider the information we hold about you is not correct, please contact the Practice in writing.  You have the right to have any incorrect information corrected.  

What happens if you choose to withhold your personal information?

You are not obliged to give us your personal information. However, if you choose not to provide the Practice with the personal details requested, it may limit our ability to provide you with full service. We encourage you to discuss your concerns with our reception staff prior to your first consultation or with your doctor.      

What about use of personal information for direct marketing?

Australian privacy law limits the use of personal information for direct marketing of goods and services. We do not use your personal information for direct marketing.

What should I do if I have a privacy complaint?

If you have a complaint regarding the way your personal information has been handled by our Practices, please put it in writing and address it to our Operations Manager Denise Pacey,  759 Burwood Road, Hawthorn East, Vic  3123.  We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 14 days, and endeavor to provide a full response within 30 days of receipt.

Should you be dissatisfied with our response, you may lodge your written complaint with the Victorian Privacy Commissioner at https://www.privacy.vic.gov.au and/or the Victorian Health Services Commissioner at http://www.health.vic.gov.au.      

If you have a query regarding our Practice’s privacy policy, please contact our operations manager who will be happy to discuss the matter with you.

How can we help?

Dr Barnett’s Patient Coordinators take pleasure in assisting you with any questions when considering a procedure. Please call the Hawthorn East clinic in Melbourne between 8am – 6pm Weekdays.

Phone (03) 8849 1467Email us or Book a free 15-minute Call with Dr Geoff Barnett’s team. We welcome your call 🙂