UniHealth Playford Privacy Policy
Current as of: 1/01/2025
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 (eg 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.
- 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 (eg court subpoenas)
- where we reasonably believe disclosure is needed to address a serious threat to an individual’s life, health or safety, or to public health or safety, and obtaining consent would be unreasonable or impracticable, as permitted by law
- 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 (eg some diseases require mandatory notification)
- during the course of providing medical services, through eTP, My Health Record (eg via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary).
Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of 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 will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.
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?
Personal information may be held in electronic and paper records. For questions about how your information is stored and handled, contact the practice at admin@unihealthmedical.com.au or call (08) 8254 4500.
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.
You may request access to your medical records in writing. Call reception on (08) 8254 4500 for assistance with your request. Our practice will respond within a reasonable time, which may be up to 30 days. A fee may apply for providing access. Contact reception to discuss the request and any applicable charge.
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 the Principal Owners of UniHealth Playford or email admin@unihealthmedical.com.au
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice?
To raise a privacy concern, contact UniHealth Playford at admin@unihealthmedical.com.au or call reception on (08) 8254 4500 and ask for your concern to be directed to the practice management team. Please avoid sending sensitive medical information by ordinary email; call reception to discuss an appropriate way to provide it.
We will attempt to resolve your concern in accordance with our resolution procedure.
Practice complaints contacts
Dr Farukh Tehseen or Dr Asif Ashraf, Principal Owners
Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (South Australia)
If you cannot resolve a concern about a health or community service directly with the provider, you can contact the South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC).
- Phone: 1800 232 007
- General enquiries: info@hcscc.sa.gov.au
- Post: PO Box 199, Rundle Mall SA 5000
Visit the HCSCC website for information about making a complaint.
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) also accepts privacy complaints. Raise your concern with our practice first. If you have not received a response within 30 days, or you are dissatisfied with the response, you can lodge a written complaint with the OAIC. Visit the OAIC privacy complaints page for the online form and other submission options. For help, call 1300 363 992.
Use of Surveillance Cameras
UniHealth Playford premises are equipped with interior/exterior CCTV security cameras. Cameras are installed primarily as a theft deterrent for property protection, as well as for safety to our staff and visitors. The premises is not monitored by an external security service. Our cameras survey the practice hallways, waiting areas, staff and patient carpark. For privacy reasons, no cameras are used in any consulting or restrooms.
Policy review statement
The privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. This will be amended and shown on the website, and advertised through our reception patient information sheet