IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRACTICE AND YOUR PRIVACY

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In the course of our efforts to assist you, our clients, with your health, it is necessary for us to collect sensitive information from you, and to provide health and practice information to you.  We are committed to safeguarding this information in accordance with best practice standards, and the Privacy Act of 1988 and the Privacy Amendment Act of 2001. We therefore specify the following practice policies:

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Your personal information

Personal information held by us will include your name, date of birth, address, telephone numbers, email address, gender, marital status, number of children, occupation and health insurance membership.

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Your health information

We record and keep details of your health history, current complaints, examinations and their results, and your treatment and progress. You may choose not to divulge information to us, in which case we are obliged to inform you of the consequences for us in trying to provide you with the service you require, or give you the level of care on which we pride ourselves.

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How we collect personal and health information

Wherever possible we collect information directly from you, both on written intake forms and verbally.  Occasionally, if communication is difficult, we may receive information from a family member or friend.  Our practice staff, in addition to our health professionals, may participate in the collection of this data and do so with a full understanding of your rights in the protection of that information. 

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How we use your personal and health information

This information is used:

• primarily to help us discern the nature of your health complaints, and to help resolve them.

• to remind you of appointments, to re-schedule some, or to follow up on your care.

• to provide reports concerning yourself to a third party, which is done only with your written authorization.

• to collect payment for your care.

• to provide you with general health information, or practice information --for example by newsletter.

 

How we contact you

If you do not wish us to contact you by mail or phone for any reason, please let our Clinical Assistants, or your Health Professional know.

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Help us to ensure we hold accurate information

Please let us know immediately if you notice we have the wrong information.

Keep us up to date with changes to personal information, such as your name or address.

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You can access your personal information

If you wish to view your records, please make a written or verbal request to our Clinical Assistants.  They will ask the Doctor to approve the request.  Please allow several days for processing.  We reserve the right to charge a fee for any significant searching needed, and for any copying.

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If you have questions concerning your privacy, please ask for a copy of our Privacy Policy, and/or contact our Practice Manager.

I provide my consent to this practice to collect, use and disclose my personal information as outlined above, and for the practice to provide access to my records according to the Practice Privacy Policy.

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Cancellation Policy

Appointments are important to our clinic, and when appointments are not kept or not cancelled, that time cannot be allocated to someone who needs the appointment time. It is important that when an appointment is made, it is kept, or a call is made to the office to cancel it.

 

Please note that we have a policy that four hours’ notice must be given for cancellation before the cancellation or missed appointment fee of 50% of the booked appointment is charged.

 

If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please call and advise us. There may be someone in need of urgent care, and if we know you are not coming, we do not have to turn them away.

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