Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Wattle Grove Family Medical Practice

At Wattle Grove Family Medical Practice, we prioritize the privacy and security of your personal health information. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data, and the circumstances under which we may share it with third parties.

1. Consent and Purpose

When you register as a patient, you provide consent for our General Practitioners (GPs) and practice staff to access and use your personal information to provide the highest standard of healthcare.

Our primary purposes for handling your information include:

• Managing your individual health and medical treatments.

• Directly related business activities, such as Medicare/financial claiming, practice audits, accreditation, and staff training.

We will only provide access to staff members who require your information to perform their roles. If we need to use your data for any other purpose, we will seek additional consent from you.

2. Information We Collect

To provide comprehensive care, we collect the following:

• Demographics: Name, date of birth, address, and contact details.

• Clinical History: Medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations, and social/family health risks.

• Identifiers: Medicare number, healthcare identifiers, and health fund details.

3. How We Collect Your Information

Information is gathered through several channels:

1. Directly: During your initial patient registration and subsequent consultations.

2. Digitally: Via Online booking platforms (e.g., Healthengine), and electronic prescriptions (eTP).

3. Third Parties: From My Health Record, specialists, hospitals, pathology labs, or diagnostic imaging services.

4. Administrative: From Medicare, the DVA, or your private health fund.

4. Sharing Your Information

We only share your information when necessary for your care or as required by law. This may include:

• Healthcare Coordination: Sharing with specialists or allied health professionals.

• Business Operations: Third parties assisting with IT or accreditation (all of whom must comply with Australian Privacy Principles).

• Legal Requirements: Responding to subpoenas, statutory notifications (e.g., infectious diseases), or to prevent a serious threat to life or public safety.

Your information will not be shared with parties outside Australia or used for direct marketing without your express consent.

5. Data Security and Storage

We operate a paperless practice. Your information is stored in a secure, password-protected electronic environment accessible only by authorized personnel.

• Physical records (letters or results) are scanned into your electronic file and then securely destroyed.

6. Accessing and Correcting Your Record

You have the right to request access to, or the correction of, your personal information.

• To Access: We ask that you book a consultation (face-to-face or telehealth) with your GP to review your records. Alternatively, a written request will be processed within 30 days. Note: A fee may apply for the administrative costs of providing these records.

• To Correct: If your details change, please notify our staff. We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is accurate and up-to-date.

7. Complaints and Feedback

If you have concerns regarding your privacy, please contact us. We aim to resolve all issues with minimal stress through a mutually agreed process.

Wattle Grove Family Medical Practice

24 Labuan Road Holsworthy, 2173

Phone: 02 9825 3555

If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may contact:

• NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC): 1800 043 159