Privacy Policy

• Health information: medical history, symptoms, examination findings, test and imaging results, diagnoses, medications, allergies, immunisation history, referrals, treatment plans and clinical notes.
• Personal details: name, date of birth, address, contact numbers, email address, emergency contact and next of kin.
• Government identifiers: Medicare number, and where applicable, concession card, DVA number, Individual Healthcare Identifier or private health insurance details.
• Family and social information: family medical history where clinically relevant, and social circumstances affecting your care.
• Billing information: billing records, payment history, and Medicare or DVA claim details.
• Website information: see our Cookie Policy.
• Health information is sensitive information under the Privacy Act and attracts higher protection.

Wherever practical we collect information directly from you at registration, during consultations, by telephone, or through our online booking system.

We may also receive information from other treating practitioners, specialists and hospitals; pathology and radiology providers; your parent, guardian, carer or authorised representative; Medicare, DVA or your health fund; and, where applicable, My Health Record and the Australian Immunisation Register.

If we receive information about you from a third party, we take reasonable steps to make you aware unless it would be inappropriate or unlawful to do so.

You may deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym where lawful and practicable. This is rarely possible for clinical care, because we must identify you accurately to treat you safely, claim Medicare benefits and maintain accurate records.

To provide and manage your care; communicate about appointments, results and recalls; coordinate care with other treating practitioners; issue prescriptions, referrals and certificates; bill and process claims; meet legal, professional and accreditation obligations; operate the practice safely; and conduct quality improvement and clinical audit using de-identified information wherever possible.

We disclose information only where necessary, lawful, or with your consent to specialists, allied health providers and hospitals involved in your care; pathology and radiology services; your nominated pharmacy at your request; Medicare, DVA or your health fund for billing; statutory registers; our clinical software, IT support and secure archiving providers under confidentiality obligations; our insurer and legal advisers where necessary; public health authorities where required by law; a court, tribunal or regulator where compelled; and any person where necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety.

We do not sell your information, and we do not disclose it for marketing purposes.

We do not use health information for direct marketing. We may contact you about clinical recalls, reminders and screening relevant to your care. You may opt out of non-clinical communications at any time by contacting reception.

Password-protected systems with individual staff logins and access levels; secure premises with locked storage for physical records; regular backups; confidentiality agreements binding all staff and contractors; privacy training; and secure destruction of records no longer required.

If we experience a data breach likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

Records are retained for the minimum periods required by law and by our professional obligations, and longer where there is a clinical, legal or insurance reason. Records no longer required are securely destroyed or de-identified.

You may request access to the information we hold about you, and request correction of anything inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or misleading.

Requests should be made in writing. We will confirm your identity, respond within a reasonable period, and explain any fee for retrieval, copying or transfer before proceeding. We may decline access in limited circumstances — for example where it would pose a serious threat to any person’s life, health or safety, or unreasonably affect another person’s privacy. If we decline we will explain why in writing and how to seek review.

Where we do not agree to a correction, you may ask that a statement of your view be attached to the record.

Please raise concerns with us first.

Privacy Officer, The Southern Clinic, 1140 South Road Clovelly Park SA 5042
Telephone: (08) 8276 9855
Email: reception@southernclinic.net.au

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner — oaic.gov.au, 1300 363 992, GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001.

You may also contact the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (SA) about a health service complaint.

We review this policy periodically. The current version is always available on this page, and a copy is available at reception on request. See also our Terms and Conditions.

For any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at 1140 South Road Clovelly Park SA 5042, phone (08) 8276 9855, or email reception@southernclinic.net.au.