Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy – Sutherland FAST
Sutherland FAST is committed to providing quality services to you, and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.
What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we may collect include:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Postal and residential address
- Email address
- Telephone and facsimile numbers
- Medicare number and other health fund details
- Referral details and information from your general practitioner or other referrers.
This Personal Information is obtained in many ways, including:
- During consultations
- Via telephone, email or SMS
- Via our website (including online forms) at www.sutherlandshoulder.com.au
- From referrals, reports and investigations provided by other health professionals and facilities
- From third parties such as insurers, compensable bodies or other medical providers, where you have authorised this.
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our medical and administrative services to you. This includes:
- Assessing, diagnosing and treating your shoulder or orthopaedic condition
- Managing your appointments and follow-up care
- Communicating with you, your general practitioner and other treating practitioners
- Processing payments and dealing with Medicare, private health insurers or compensable bodies.
We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from any non-essential mailing or marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.
When we collect Personal Information, we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about, for example, an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record, or health information.
In the context of our practice, the primary category of sensitive information we collect and manage is health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
- For the primary purpose for which it was obtained (for example, providing medical care and treatment)
- For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose (for example, communicating with other members of your treating team)
- With your consent; or
- Where required or authorised by law.
Third Parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties, for example:
- Your general practitioner or other treating specialists
- Hospitals, imaging providers and pathology services
- Insurers or compensable bodies.
In such cases, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party where it is relevant to your care.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances, including the following:
- To your general practitioner, referrer and other treating health professionals involved in your care
- To hospitals, imaging and pathology providers as part of your clinical management
- To Medicare, private health insurers or compensable bodies for billing and claiming purposes
- To third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
- Where required or authorised by law (for example, mandatory reporting obligations or court orders).
We do not sell, rent or trade your Personal Information to third parties.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. This includes:
- Secure electronic practice management systems with password protection and access controls
- Secure physical storage for any paper records
- Staff training and confidentiality obligations.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it, subject to our legal and professional obligations. In many cases, medical records are required to be kept for a minimum period under relevant health records legislation and professional guidelines.
Access to your Personal Information
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and request that it be updated and/or corrected, subject to certain exceptions provided by law. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
We will not charge a fee for receiving your access request, but we may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing copies of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require sufficient identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure this is the case.
If you believe that the information we have about you is not accurate, complete or up to date, please contact us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and the most current version will be available on our website.
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy or the way we handle your Personal Information, please contact us at:
Sutherland FAST
St George Private Hospital
Ste 201, Level 2
131 Princes Hwy
Kogarah NSW 2217
Phone: 0438 181 753
Email: admin@sutherlandshoulder.com.au
We will endeavour to respond to your enquiry or complaint promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for further advice.