Privacy Policy

Hervey Bay Surgical Hospital (HBSH) complies with the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) including the Australian Privacy Principles (“APPs”) and all other legislation which applies to the HBSH.

Consent for Information

HBSH will only use and/or disclose information for the purpose(s) for which it was collected unless otherwise required or authorised by law.  Health Information will only be used for the Primary purpose of collection and any directly related Secondary purpose.  HBSH may be required by the legal process (subpoena, search warrant, Notice of Discovery) to disclose personal information.  HBSH will also use or disclose personal information where it is authorised by law such as for research purposes or for the purpose of assisting law enforcement authorities. 

Health information includes:

• Health or disability at any time (past, present or future)
• Expressed wishes about future health services
• Health services provided or to be provided
• Information collected about the donation of body parts
• Any other information collected in the course of providing treatment and care to an individual.

Integrity and Security

Personal Information will be stored and handled in such a manner as to ensure that it is not subject to any unauthorised access, use or disclosure.  HBSH will use its best endeavours to ensure that all personal information is accurate, up-to-date, complete and relevant.                            

Types of Personal Information collected

HBSH collects information from you that is necessary to provide you with health care services.  As a health service provider, this may include a wide range of personal information including:

• demographic information (eg, names, address, date of birth)
• general health information
• mental health information
• gender information
• information about family members and/or associates
• information about personal and social circumstances
• financial information
• legal information
• education information
• employment information
• and a wide range of information necessary for the purposes of carrying out its functions.

How is Personal Information Collected

HBSH collects personal information from a variety of sources including:

• the individuals to whom the information relates
• family members and associates
• other health care providers
• community service organisations
• law enforcement agencies
• insurance companies
• Federal & State Government agencies 
• and other individuals and/or entities who may have information relevant to HBSH’s activities. 

As a general principle, where personal information is not collected directly from the individual concerned, HBSH will take reasonable steps to ensure that the individual is informed about the collection unless the individual has previously expressly or impliedly consented to the collection.  Personal information will only be collected in a manner that is lawful and fair. Information collected by HBSH will be by both electronic and paper format.

How is Personal Information Stored and Secured?

HBSH stores Personal Information by paper format and electronic format.  All patient information collected by paper format which includes patient Medical records are scanned into HBSH Patient Management software program. The paper Medical records are then destroyed after one month from patient discharge date.

HBSH Patient Management software is backed up on and off site on a daily basis. Only relevant HBSH staff and medical professional have access to HBSH Patient Management software program to provide patient care and treatment.
 

The Purposes of Collection of Personal Information

HBSH uses the personal information it collects and holds to:

• assess and understand the health and other needs of individuals to provide them with the appropriate services and advice including for admission and discharge from our hospital
• ensure continuity of care of individuals treated in our hospitals and provide ongoing treatment options
• verify an individual’s identity
• enable the provision of education and training to students of the health profession
• effectively administer, manage, monitor and improve our services
• funding, planning, evaluation and complaint handling
• charging, billing, processing health insurance claims and collecting debts
• communicate with individuals by various means about our services, events, offers and options available from our hospital
• comply with quality assurance or clinical audit activities
• undertake accreditation activities
• respond to feedback
• address liability indemnity arrangements and reporting
• prepare the defence for anticipated or existing legal proceedings
• undertake research and the compilation or analysis of statistics relevant to public health and safety
• conduct patient experience surveys with the aim of evaluating and improving services; and
• enable our hospital and our service providers to comply with their legal and regulatory obligations.

We may also use personal information in circumstances where we are required or authorised by Australian Law to do so or where we otherwise have consent of the individual or their representative

Individuals who have any questions about privacy, this policy or the way HBSH manages personal Information or who believe that HBSH have breached their privacy rights, should contact the Director of Nursing with their question or complaint.

HBSH complies with  the Privacy Act and dealing with all issues arising in relation to Privacy.  You may at any time also lodge a complaint with the Office of  the Australian Information Commissioner .

Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

General

HBSH will only use and/or disclose information for the purpose(s) for which it was collected unless otherwise required or authorised by law.  Health Information will only be used for the Primary purpose of collection and any directly related Secondary purpose.  HBSH may be required by the legal process (subpoena, search warrant, Notice of Discovery) to disclose personal information.  HBSH will also use or disclose personal information where it is authorised by law such as for research purposes or for the purpose of assisting law enforcement authorities. 

Overseas Use or Disclosure

HBSH does not transfer any personal Information overseas, unless requested and authorised by an individual.  HBSH uses an Instrument Tracking Software Program which transfers Instrument data only to the USA.

Access to and Correction of Personal Information

Access

As a general rule, all persons have a right to access their personal information held by HBSH.  To obtain access to their personal information, HBSH has a procedure for FOI requests which can be obtained from HBSH upon request.  There are some circumstances where HBSH is permitted to deny access to personal information such as where the access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others or where granting access is unlawful or denying access is required or authorised by law.  Other grounds are set out in the APP’s.  HBSH is allowed to impose reasonable charges for providing access.

Correction of Personal Information

You have a right to have access to the health information that we hold in your health record.  You can also request an amendment to your health records should you believe that it contains inaccurate information.  HBSH will take reasonable steps to ensure that all personal information it holds is accurate, up-to-date, complete, relevant and not misleading.  Individuals may apply to HBSH to correct any personal information held by HBSH and HBSH will consider all such requests.  If HBSH does not amend the information as requested, we will provide written reasons for the refusal to amend the information.

All requests for correction are to be directed to the Director of Nursing