Privacy Policy

RIVERINA SURGICAL CONSULTING PRIVACY POLICY
Riverina Surgical Consulting recognises the importance of privacy and confidentiality protection for all patients and those that visit our practice. We make our Privacy Policy available to anyone who asks for it. Our principal concern is and always will be the health of patients in our Practice. To ensure our patients feel confident in sharing information, a high level of trust and confidentiality is essential. The culture of confidentiality and respect for privacy has been created in line with The Health Records Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) and the Privacy Act 1988 and includes the Australian Privacy Principles introduced on the 12th March 2014. A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles is available for inspection at the reception desk.
HOW WE USE, PROTECT AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION COLLECTED
Understanding that the information we collect is of a highly sensitive nature, we handle your medical file with the utmost respect for your privacy. This Practice is committed to being compliant with the current privacy standards to keep all personal information secure and protected. All information is stored electronically and is password protected on several levels. Our server is protected and backed up each day by our IT company. The cloud used to temporarily store our information before it returns to our server is in an encrypted format, on an Australian server bound by Australian Privacy laws. All employees and contractors that work within Riverina Surgical Consulting are required to sign and comply with our comprehensive confidentiality agreement. To ensure our patients are provided the highest standard of care our doctors, nurse and secretarial staff will collect personal information to meet this purpose. The information requested will include, but is not limited to: -          Patient’s name -          Address -          Telephone number -          Medicare number -          Health Care Fund -          Current and previous medical, surgical and family history -          Current and previous medications used by the patient -          The name of other health care providers or specialists currently treating the patient -          Copies of letters of referral/reports/results Patient information will also be shared within the Practice for administrative and billing purposes. This Practice does not intend to disclose your information to overseas recipients. It may be used however, for liaising with different agencies regarding Medicare, health funds, medicolegal representatives, debt collection or to facilitate training or improvement of services at our Practice. This Practice may access information provided directly by the patient or provided on the patient’s behalf with their consent. It may at times also be obtained from other health care providers involved in the patient’s care. Collection of personal information by our Practice may be used or disclosed, if required by law, or if there is a serious threat to the health or safety of an individual or to public health and safety, for referral of patients to other health service providers or medical specialists. Health information is kept by law for a minimum of 7 years for adults from the last date of service. If the patient is under the age of 18 years, then by law records must be held until the person is 25 years of age. Information is also collected about all medical practitioners working with Dr Jancewicz at Riverina Surgical Consulting. This includes their name, address, phone number, qualifications and experience and insurance information. Other than what is stated in this policy, we will not disclose or distribute any personal information to any third party without the patient’s explicit consent. Every patient of this Practice has a right to access any information we hold concerning them. Should a patient wish to do so, they will be required to fill out a form entitled “Accessing Your Medical Record”. Riverina Surgical Consulting is committed to providing the highest standard of care to every patient that attends this Practice, and will continue to protect each patient’s sensitive and highly personal information to ensure the ongoing relationship of trust our patients have come to expect from the staff at our Practice. Should you wish to discuss this policy, lodge a complaint or access your personal information, please see the Practice Manager at your earliest convenience. This Practice will endeavour to address any complaints or requests for information within 30 days of receipt. Should you be unsatisfied with our response to your privacy complaint, you may lodge a written complaint with the NSW Privacy Commissioner or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Amended 12th March 2014   (as a result of changes to privacy laws 12th March 2014)