Privacy Policy

Purpose

Australian Urology Associates (AUA) takes its obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) seriously and is committed to protecting patient privacy. We recognise that the information we collect is often of a highly sensitive nature, and we make every effort to ensure that this information is used, stored and disclosed appropriately, and that your privacy is protected. This policy sets out how we intend to do so.

Collection of information

AUA collects and holds personal information about you for the purpose of providing medical services.

Personal information collected and held generally includes, but is not limited to:

  • Name, DOB, address, contact details, next of kin
  • Medicare number, DVA number and other government identifiers
  • Private health insurance details
  • The name of your referring doctor and other clinicians involved in your care
  • Information provided by your referring doctor
  • Copies of relevant test results
  • Medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, and family history.

Use and disclosure of information

In providing medical services, we may share your personal information:

  • With others involved in your healthcare such as health professionals and health service organisations (e.g. hospitals, pathology and radiology services, etc.)
  • With government and third-party organisations for billing purposes (e.g. Medicare, health funds, or other organisations involved in your financial care)
  • With third parties who work with our organisation for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers
  • With your next of kin, nominated person, or immediate family members with your expressed or implied consent, unless you request otherwise
  • When it is required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas) 
  • When it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a person’s life, health or safety, or public health or safety
  • During a confidential dispute resolution process
  • When there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification).

Your health information may be used for research, trials and audits.  This research and statistical data may be presented at conferences in Australia or overseas and/or published in international journals, however no information that personally identifies you will be disclosed.

We may use your personal information to improve the quality of our services, through research and analysis of patient data.

Overseas use and disclosure

Patient information is stored securely within Australia.  

Ordinarily, we will not share your personal information with any individual or organisation outside of Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that is permitted by law) without your consent. 

However, AUA may enter arrangements with third party providers who have employees located overseas.  We will take reasonable steps to ensure that overseas recipients of personal information do not breach Australian Privacy Principles.  These steps may include ensuring the receiving person or organisation is subject to a law, binding scheme or binding contract that provides substantially similar protection to the Australian Privacy Principles and requiring that the recipient has appropriate information security protections in place. 

Storage and protection of information

AUA takes all reasonable steps to protect the security of information collected, which may be stored electronically and/or in hardcopy form.

Policies are in place to ensure:

  • Patient information is stored securely, protected from misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure
  • Effective back-up and security of electronic records
  • Appropriate destruction of information.

While every appropriate measure is taken to store and protect your personal information, we will notify you in the event of a data breach, as well as the Australian Information Commissioner where appropriate.

Quality of information

Please assist us with maintaining correct, up-to-date information by notifying practice staff of any changes to your personal details.  Any concerns regarding the accuracy of your clinical information can be directed to your treating doctor or the Executive Manager, as per the contact details below.

Access to information

AUA will provide you with access to your medical records on request, except in circumstances where access may be denied under The Act.  All requests must be approved by the treating doctor.  A fee may apply where the practice incurs costs in providing this access. 

You may also request for your information to be transferred to another medical provider.  AUA will attend to this within 30 days of receiving your written request.  

Requests can be sent to reception@aua.com.au or:

Australian Urology Associates

1/322 Glenferrie Road

Malvern VIC 3144

Enquiries and complaints

For further information, or if you wish to express any privacy concerns or make a complaint, please write to:

Executive Manager

Australian Urology Associates

322 Glenferrie Rd

Malvern VIC 3144

reception@aua.com.au

We will normally respond to your request within 30 days.  

If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may refer the matter to the OAIC:

Phone: 1300 363 992

Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au

Post: OAIC

          GPO Box 5218

          Sydney NSW 2001