This Privacy Policy outlines how Collins St Plastic Surgery collects, holds, uses, and discloses your personal information.
In addition to our professional and ethical obligations, we handle personal information in accordance with applicable Commonwealth and State privacy legislation, including:
- The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
- The Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
- The Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
- The Victorian Health Privacy Principles (HPPs)
Further information about the APPs and HPPs is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.
Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information necessary to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage your health care.
The types of information we may collect include:
- Personal details (name, address, date of birth, contact details, Medicare number)
- Health information and medical history
- Notes recorded during consultations
- Referral information
- Test results and reports from other health providers
- Private health insurance details
- Billing information, including credit card or direct debit details We do not collect or keep pt CC or direct debit details we take payment from them via Eftpos terminal and do not keep the details
Where practicable, we collect this information directly from you in person, by telephone, in writing, or via secure online forms.
In some circumstances, we may collect information from third parties such as:
- Referring doctors
- Treating specialists
- Pathology or radiology providers
- Hospitals or other health services
In emergency situations, information may be obtained from family members, carers, or other responsible persons.
Use and Disclosure of Information
Your personal information is used for purposes directly related to your health care and for administrative functions necessary to operate the practice.
This may include disclosure:
- To other health professionals involved in your care (e.g. specialists, anaesthetists, pathology or radiology services)
- To administrative staff for billing and operational purposes
- To Medicare, private health insurers, or other organisations responsible for payment
- Where required by law (for example, under subpoena)
- To insurers or legal representatives in the defence of a medical claim
- For quality assurance, accreditation, or professional education (with appropriate safeguards)
We do not disclose personal information to overseas recipients unless required as part of healthcare coordination and permitted by law.
Information Quality
We take reasonable steps to ensure the personal information we hold is accurate, complete, and up to date.
You may be asked to confirm your details when attending appointments. Please notify us if your information changes or is incorrect.
Storage and Security
We take reasonable steps to protect the security of personal information, including:
- Securing physical premises
- Restricting access to authorised staff only
- Using password-protected electronic systems
- Maintaining secure storage of hard copy records
We implement safeguards to reduce the risk of unauthorised access, misuse, modification, or disclosure.
Access to Your Information
You have the right to request access to your personal information in accordance with applicable legislation.
Requests should be made in writing to the Practice Manager.
A reasonable administrative fee may apply for retrieval and copying of records, in accordance with the Health Records Regulations 2008 (Vic). This fee is not claimable through Medicare.
Correction of Information
If you believe the information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, you may request correction in writing.
We will take reasonable steps to correct your information where appropriate.
Withholding Personal Information
You are not obliged to provide personal information. However, if you choose not to provide requested information, this may limit our ability to provide appropriate medical care.
Direct Marketing
We do not use your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
Privacy Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please submit your complaint in writing to:
[Insert Practice Email Address]
We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within a reasonable timeframe and endeavour to respond promptly.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
