Privacy Policy
Purpose
The purpose of our Privacy Policy is to ensure that our patients feel comfortable sharing personal and sensitive information with our healthcare practitioners.
This Privacy Policy explains how Aculeus Veteran Pain Clinic (“Aculeus”, “we”, “us” or “our”) collects, stores, uses and discloses personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
At Aculeus we are committed to providing veteran-focused healthcare services including pain management, rehabilitation support, healthcare coordination, specialist referrals, medical equipment guidance and related healthcare services.
Background and Rationale
As a healthcare provider, Aculeus is required to comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
These principles are designed to protect patient privacy throughout all stages of healthcare delivery, including consultations, referrals, diagnostic testing, specialist communications, prescriptions, healthcare coordination, DVA-related services and Medicare or DVA billing processes.
The principles apply equally to electronic records, written records, secure messaging systems and communications with healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care.
Collection and Storage of Information
Aculeus may collect personal information including:
• Name, address, date of birth and contact details
• Medicare details
• DVA card details
• Healthcare identifiers
• Health Care Card or Pension Card details
• Photo identification
• Medical history
• Medications and allergies
• Diagnostic results and investigations
• Family and social history
• Risk factors relevant to healthcare
• Rehabilitation and treatment information
• Information relating to specialist referrals and healthcare coordination
Personal information may be collected directly from patients, carers, authorised representatives, healthcare providers, government agencies, My Health Record, pharmacies, pathology providers, imaging providers and other parties involved in providing healthcare services.
Storage of Information
Aculeus stores personal information securely using industry-standard safeguards and secure clinical software systems.
Patient information may be stored in:
• Electronic medical records
• My Health Record
• Secure messaging systems
• Diagnostic imaging and pathology records
• Clinical correspondence
• Healthcare coordination records
Access to personal information is restricted to authorised practitioners and staff who require access to perform their duties.
Use and Disclosure of Information
Personal information will only be used or disclosed for purposes directly related to the provision of healthcare services, including:
• Clinical assessment and treatment
• Healthcare coordination
• Specialist referrals
• Rehabilitation services
• DVA-related services
• Prescription management
• Pathology and imaging requests
• Medicare and DVA claiming
• Communication regarding appointments and healthcare services
Information may be disclosed to healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care where clinically appropriate and permitted by law.
Aculeus will not disclose personal information to third parties for marketing purposes without consent.
Patient Communications
Aculeus may contact patients by telephone, SMS, email or other electronic communication methods regarding:
• Appointment reminders
• Clinical recalls and follow-up
• Healthcare information relevant to ongoing care
• Administrative matters relating to healthcare services
Access and Correction
Patients may request access to their personal information or request correction of inaccurate information.
Requests should be submitted in writing to:
Aculeus will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
Complaints
Aculeus takes privacy concerns seriously.
Patients who have concerns regarding the handling of personal information are encouraged to contact us directly so we can investigate and resolve the matter promptly.
If a concern cannot be resolved, patients may contact:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Phone: 1300 363 992
or the relevant Health Complaints Commissioner in their State or Territory.
Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites. Aculeus is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites and encourages users to review their privacy policies separately.
Amendments
Aculeus may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will always be available on our website.