Introduction
This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.
Why and when your consent is necessary
When you register as a patient of our practice, you provide consent for our GPs and practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.
Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information?
Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and accreditation, and business processes (e.g. staff training).
What personal information do we collect?
The information we will collect about you includes your:
- names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
- medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors
- Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
- healthcare identifiers
- health fund details.
Dealing with us anonymously
You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.
How do we collect your personal information?
Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.
- When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
- During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information.
- Information may be collected through electronic transfer of prescriptions (eRx), My Health Record e.g. Shared Health Summary, Event Summary.
- We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
- In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:
- your guardian or responsible person
- other involved healthcare providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services
- your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary).
When, why and with whom do we share your personal information?
We sometimes share your personal information:
- with third parties who work with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy
- with other healthcare providers
- when it is required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas)
- when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent
- to assist in locating a missing person
- to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim
- for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process
- when there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification)
- during the course of providing medical services, through eRx, My Health Record (e.g. via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary).
Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than providing medical services or as otherwise described in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.
We may disclose your personal information with our administration/reception staff employed outside Australia. All staff and contractors are required to sign a confidentiality agreement that complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and assess whether appropriate data handling and security arrangements are in place.
Our practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.
Our practice may use your personal information to improve the quality of the services we offer to our patients through research and analysis of our patient data.
We may provide de-identified data to other organisations to improve population health outcomes. The information is secure, patients cannot be identified and the information is stored within Australia. You can let our reception staff know if you do not want your information included.
How do we store and protect your personal information?
Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms.
- Electronic records
- Paper records
- Visual records (X-rays, CT scans, videos and photos)
- Audio recordings
Our practice stores all personal information securely.
- All electronic, visual and audio records are stored in our protected information systems in the cloud that requires a two-factor authentication for access.
- Paper records are stored in a secured environment.
- All staff and contractors are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Currently we lack the capability to record consultations in real-time, whether conducted via telehealth or remotely. However, if this capability were to become available in the future, patient consent would be obtained before any such recordings could be made.
How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice?
You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.
Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing to office@healthnexus.au and our practice will respond within 30 days. Fees apply for providing records, please check with staff for the most up to date fee.
Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to office@healthnexus.au
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice?
We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure and respond within 30 days.
Please contact the Practice Manager at tayla@healthnexus.au, phone 03 6351 5610 or post to: The Practice Manager, Ground Floor, 24 Wellington Street, TAS 7250.
You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.
Privacy and our website
Our Practice may collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
Our website may use cookies to enhance your experience and ensure website functionality. Essential cookies enable core features, performance and analytics cookies improve site functionality, functionality cookies remember your preferences, and targeting cookies display relevant ads. Manage your cookie preferences through browser settings or our consent banner. We prioritize data security and handle personal data in accordance with data protection laws using industry-standard security measures.
Policy review statement
We may review and, if necessary, amend this Privacy Policy at any time. Amendments will be notified by uploading an updated version of the policy on our website. It will take effect from the date of publication on the website.
At Health Nexus Launceston, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for our patients, staff, and visitors. To maintain this standard, we have implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy towards any form of unacceptable behaviour.
Unacceptable Behaviour Includes
Violence or Threats of Violence
- Any form of physical aggression or intimidation towards staff, patients, or visitors.
- Threats or actions that create a hostile or unsafe environment.
Abusive or Offensive Language
- Use of foul, discriminatory, or demeaning language.
- Verbal abuse or harassment, including inappropriate comments or jokes.
Sexual Harassment
- Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
- Inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact.
Substance Abuse
- Possession, use, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol on the premises.
- Distribution or sale of illegal substances within the medical center.
Damage to Property
- Intentional damage or theft of property belonging to the medical center, staff, patients, or visitors.
- Vandalism or other forms of property destruction.
Discrimination
- Any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
- Actions or words that contribute to a discriminatory environment.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
- Immediate removal from the premises.
- Termination of treatment or services.
- Reporting to appropriate authorities, including law enforcement.
- Legal action, as deemed necessary.
Reporting Unacceptable Behaviour
If you experience or witness any form of unacceptable behaviour, please report it immediately to a member of our staff. All reports will be taken seriously and addressed promptly in accordance with our policies and procedures.
Commitment to Safety and Respect
At Health Nexus Launceston, we believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our Zero Tolerance Policy is in place to ensure that the medical center remains a safe and welcoming environment for all. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
We understand the importance of preventive healthcare in maintaining your well-being. That’s why we have implemented a comprehensive reminder system for various preventive services, including cervical screening, immunisations, care plan reviews, health assessments and other various reminders.
If any abnormalities or concerns are detected in your test results, we will contact you to discuss a follow-up consultation.
Please communicate with your doctor if you do not want to participate in any of our reminder and recall systems.
At Health Nexus Launceston, we understand the importance of effective communication in healthcare. We offer an interpreter service through TIS (Translating and Interpreting Service). Using our interpreter service is simple and convenient. Just let us know your language preference when booking your appointment, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Introduction
This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.
Why and when your consent is necessary
When you register as a patient of our practice, you provide consent for our GPs and practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.
Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information?
Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and accreditation, and business processes (e.g. staff training).
What personal information do we collect?
The information we will collect about you includes your:
- names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
- medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors
- Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
- healthcare identifiers
- health fund details.
Dealing with us anonymously
You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.
How do we collect your personal information?
Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.
- When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
- During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information.
- Information may be collected through electronic transfer of prescriptions (eRx), My Health Record e.g. Shared Health Summary, Event Summary.
- We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
- In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:
- your guardian or responsible person
- other involved healthcare providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services
- your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary).
When, why and with whom do we share your personal information?
We sometimes share your personal information:
- with third parties who work with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy
- with other healthcare providers
- when it is required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas)
- when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent
- to assist in locating a missing person
- to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim
- for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process
- when there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification)
- during the course of providing medical services, through eRx, My Health Record (e.g. via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary).
Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than providing medical services or as otherwise described in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.
We may disclose your personal information with our administration/reception staff employed outside Australia. All staff and contractors are required to sign a confidentiality agreement that complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and assess whether appropriate data handling and security arrangements are in place.
Our practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.
Our practice may use your personal information to improve the quality of the services we offer to our patients through research and analysis of our patient data.
We may provide de-identified data to other organisations to improve population health outcomes. The information is secure, patients cannot be identified and the information is stored within Australia. You can let our reception staff know if you do not want your information included.
How do we store and protect your personal information?
Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms.
- Electronic records
- Paper records
- Visual records (X-rays, CT scans, videos and photos)
- Audio recordings
Our practice stores all personal information securely.
- All electronic, visual and audio records are stored in our protected information systems in the cloud that requires a two-factor authentication for access.
- Paper records are stored in a secured environment.
- All staff and contractors are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Currently we lack the capability to record consultations in real-time, whether conducted via telehealth or remotely. However, if this capability were to become available in the future, patient consent would be obtained before any such recordings could be made.
How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice?
You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.
Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing to office@healthnexus.au and our practice will respond within 30 days. Fees apply for providing records, please check with staff for the most up to date fee.
Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to office@healthnexus.au
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice?
We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure and respond within 30 days.
Please contact the Practice Manager at tayla@healthnexus.au, phone 03 6351 5610 or post to: The Practice Manager, Ground Floor, 24 Wellington Street, TAS 7250.
You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.
Privacy and our website
Our Practice may collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
Our website may use cookies to enhance your experience and ensure website functionality. Essential cookies enable core features, performance and analytics cookies improve site functionality, functionality cookies remember your preferences, and targeting cookies display relevant ads. Manage your cookie preferences through browser settings or our consent banner. We prioritize data security and handle personal data in accordance with data protection laws using industry-standard security measures.
Policy review statement
We may review and, if necessary, amend this Privacy Policy at any time. Amendments will be notified by uploading an updated version of the policy on our website. It will take effect from the date of publication on the website.
At Health Nexus Launceston, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for our patients, staff, and visitors. To maintain this standard, we have implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy towards any form of unacceptable behaviour.
Unacceptable Behaviour Includes
Violence or Threats of Violence
- Any form of physical aggression or intimidation towards staff, patients, or visitors.
- Threats or actions that create a hostile or unsafe environment.
Abusive or Offensive Language
- Use of foul, discriminatory, or demeaning language.
- Verbal abuse or harassment, including inappropriate comments or jokes.
Sexual Harassment
- Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
- Inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact.
Substance Abuse
- Possession, use, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol on the premises.
- Distribution or sale of illegal substances within the medical center.
Damage to Property
- Intentional damage or theft of property belonging to the medical center, staff, patients, or visitors.
- Vandalism or other forms of property destruction.
Discrimination
- Any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
- Actions or words that contribute to a discriminatory environment.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
- Immediate removal from the premises.
- Termination of treatment or services.
- Reporting to appropriate authorities, including law enforcement.
- Legal action, as deemed necessary.
Reporting Unacceptable Behaviour
If you experience or witness any form of unacceptable behaviour, please report it immediately to a member of our staff. All reports will be taken seriously and addressed promptly in accordance with our policies and procedures.
Commitment to Safety and Respect
At Health Nexus Launceston, we believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our Zero Tolerance Policy is in place to ensure that the medical center remains a safe and welcoming environment for all. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
We understand the importance of preventive healthcare in maintaining your well-being. That’s why we have implemented a comprehensive reminder system for various preventive services, including cervical screening, immunisations, care plan reviews, health assessments and other various reminders.
If any abnormalities or concerns are detected in your test results, we will contact you to discuss a follow-up consultation.
Please communicate with your doctor if you do not want to participate in any of our reminder and recall systems.
At Health Nexus Launceston, we understand the importance of effective communication in healthcare. We offer an interpreter service through TIS (Translating and Interpreting Service). Using our interpreter service is simple and convenient. Just let us know your language preference when booking your appointment, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
