Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information
This document describes the privacy policy of Dr Beth Mah for the management of her clients’ personal information. The clinic is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy and Personal Information Act 1988 (No. 133).
Client information
Client files are held in a secure electronic document management system (Halaxy) or in a secure filing cabinet. Halaxy is accessible only to Dr Beth Mah and administration assistants. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the mental health service, including emails, chat records, and text messages.
For more information regarding Halaxy, please see the Halaxy Terms of Use and Halaxy Privacy Policy.
Information about Halaxy security can be found here.
How clients' personal information is collected
A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation at Dr Mah’s clinic, including when the client provides information directly using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email or text, when the client interacts directly with employees such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Dr Mah, via referrals, correspondence, and medical reports.
Consequence of not providing personal information
If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Dr Mah may not be in a position to provide mental health care to the client.
Disclosure of personal information
Clients’ personal information will not be disclosed except when:
1. It is subpoenaed by a court; or
2. Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Dr Beth Mah, place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or
3. The client’s prior approval has been obtained to:
4. Disclosure is otherwise required by law.
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.
Purpose of holding personal information
A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing healthcare, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables Dr Beth Mah to provide a relevant and informed psychiatric care.
Requests for access and correction to client information
At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. Dr Mah may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988. If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged in writing at reception@drbethmah.com. These requests will be responded to in writing within 30 days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.
Concerns
If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Dr Mah at reception@drbethmah.com. Upon request, they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled.
Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992 or online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint
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