Client Privacy Policy
Policy for Management of Personal Information
Introduction
This document describes the privacy policy of Innermind Psychology for the management of clients’ personal information. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Client Information Management
Information security
Client files are held in a secure filing cabinet which is accessible only to authorized employees. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, psychological symptoms and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service.
How clients’ personal information is collected
A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation with Innermind Psychology, including when the client provides information directly to Innermind Psychology using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Innermind Psychology employees such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Innermind Psychology via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.
Consequence of not providing personal information
If the client does not wish their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by the Privacy Policy, Innermind Psychology may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Innermind Psychology to deal with the client anonymously, or if Innermind Psychology is required or authorized by law to deal with identified individuals.
Disclosure of personal information
Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:
- It is provided to a referring doctor and relates directly to your ongoing treatment;
- It is subpoenaed by a Court;
- It is required by an insurance company for the purposes of determining liability or suitability of treatment;
- It is necessary, in the opinion of Innermind Psychology, to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a client or another person;
- It may assist with the location of a missing person; or
- the client gives prior approval for Innermind Psychology to:
- provide a written report to another agency or professional such as a general practitioner or a lawyer;
- discuss the personal information with another person such as a parent, employer, health provider or third party funder; or
- disclose the information in any other way.
In the case of unpaid fees, a client’s name and address may be given by Innermind Psychology to a debt collection agency.
A client’s personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Clients’ personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.
In the event that unauthorized access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Innermind Psychology will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimize any risk of consequential serious harm.
Court Proceedings (not general therapy)
Innermind Psychology, when acting as an expert appointed by a Court, or in the course of any other legal proceedings, may be required to disclose a client’s personal information to the Court, to an insurer who is a party to those proceedings, or to the client’s lawyer.
Innermind Psychology will notify a client if such disclosure is likely and will not release any personal information to the client’s lawyer without first obtaining the client’s written consent.
Requests for access to, and correction of, client information
Clients have the right to request access to, and correction of, their personal information.
All requests by clients for access to or correction of their personal information should be made in writing to Innermind Psychology and Innermind Psychology will respond to such requests in writing within 21 days.
In some instances, Innermind Psychology may exercise its discretion not to provide access to certain personal information, such as where that information is about a client’s child, in circumstances where Innermind Psychology is of the opinion that the providing of such information could cause harm to the client.
Where clients request access to their personal information they will be charged a fee, including for any photocopying that is required.
Innermind Psychology will take reasonable steps to correct clients’ personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date.
CONCERNS
Innermind Psychology takes complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously, as the protection of client personal and health information is a priority. Clients should express any privacy concerns in writing addressed to:
Innermind Psychology
Wexford Medical Centre
3 Barry Marshall Parade
Level 3 Suite 47
MURDOCH PERTH 6150
Australia