Privacy Policy
for Management of Personal Information
Introduction
Nourish Nurture Thrive Pty Ltd (ABN ) (“Nourish Nurture Thrive”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) (“Applicable Privacy Laws”).
This Privacy Policy explains how we manage the personal information that we collect, hold, use and disclose in operating our practice.
“Personal information” has the meaning given in the Applicable Privacy Laws, and essentially refers to any information or opinion about a person who is identified or reasonably identifiable.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, if we make changes to the ways in which we handle personal information. We will publish the updated Privacy Policy on our website (nourishnurturethrive.com.au). Please check back from time to time to review our Privacy Policy.
Client information
Client files are held in a secure electronic document management systems which is accessible only to authorised employees or any authorised service provider in accordance with the practice's policies and procedures. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service.
How clients' personal information is collected
A client's personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation with Nourish Nurture Thrive, including when the client provides information directly to our clinic and team members, using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with our team members such as the receptionist, practice management and/or clinicians via telephone, email, fax or in person interactions, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Nourish Nurture Thrive, via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.
Consequence of not providing personal information
If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Nourish Nurture Thrive may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Nourish Nurture Thrive to deal with the client or if Nourish Nurture Thrive is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.
Purpose of holding personal information
A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue or concern. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.
Disclosure of personal information
Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:
1. It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law;
2. Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of the practice or clinician, place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or
3. The client’s prior approval has been obtained to: a) provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or b) discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third party funder; or c) disclose the information in another way; or d) disclose to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.
In the course of providing clinical services, we may share information with your other healthcare providers where you have authorised us to do so, or where you would otherwise reasonably expect it. For example:
· if you have been referred to us by your GP or psychiatrist, the psychologist who is treating you may discuss your treatment with the referring GP or psychiatrist, as per medicare reporting requirements; and
· if you ask our psychologist to work with your other healthcare providers or support service providers (such as your social worker), the psychologist who is treating you may discuss relevant aspects of your treatment with them.
A client's personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law . Clients' personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose. In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs, Nourish Nurture Thrive will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.
Our administrative team are all internal team members who are based in Melbourne, Australia. Within our practice, access to personal information is limited to those staff who have an operational need to access it. Generally, your clinical records will only be accessed by the professional staff who are involved in your treatment.
We have policies and procedures in place to destroy or de-identify personal information once it is no longer needed for a valid purpose or required to be kept by law.
Requests for access and correction to client information
At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. The psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with the administrative team of Nourish Nurture Thrive and the request must be made in writing. These requests will be responded to in writing within 14 days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.
Concerns
If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform the practice manager or their clinician. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/lodge-a-privacy-complaint-with-us or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5288, Sydney, NSW 2001.