Montville Health Centre is committed to safeguarding your privacy and personal information. We are governed by and required to adhere to directions given by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).  

Collection, Use & Disclosure

At Montville Health Centre, we understand the sensitivity of the information we collect. As an organization dedicated to ensuring the utmost privacy compliance, we have implemented rigorous standards to safeguard personal information. This includes utilizing advanced information technology programs for data encryption and protection, enforcing confidentiality agreements, and conducting regular confidentiality training for our staff.

Collection of Information

We may collect personal information, including health information, to provide medical services and treatment. This may encompass:

• Patient’s name, address, telephone number, and Medicare number
• Health care fund information
• Current medications and treatments
• Patient’s medical history, including family medical history when clinically relevant
• Names of health service providers or medical specialists to whom the patient is referred, along with copies of referral letters and reports received

We may access information:

• Directly from the patient
• On behalf of the patient with their consent
• From health service providers who refer patients to us
• From health service providers to whom patients are referred

Use & Disclosure

Personal information collected may be used or disclosed:

• For the purpose the patient was advised of at the time of collection
• To deliver health services to the patient
• For the ordinary operation of our services (e.g., referrals to medical specialists or other health service providers)
• As required by law or under compulsion of law
• In case of a serious and imminent threat to an individual’s life, health, or safety, or to public health or safety

Except as described in this Policy or permitted under the National Privacy Act, Montville Health Centre takes reasonable measures to ensure that identifying health information is not disclosed to any person. 

Retention Period

We retain health information for a minimum of 7 years from the date of the last entry in the patient record (unless the patient was a child, in which case the record must be kept until the patient attains or would have attained 25 years of age) as required by law.

Referrals

Practitioners at our practice may refer patients to various services, including:

• Pathology services
• Radiology services
• Public hospitals
• Private hospitals
• Day procedure centres
• Allied health services

We may also collect or disclose personal information for quality assurance, training, billing, liaising with government offices regarding Medicare entitlements and payments, and as required by our insurers.

Information about Practitioners

We collect information about medical practitioners who provide services at our practice, including their names, addresses, qualifications, experience, insurance currency documents, and evidence of ongoing training.

Access to Medical Records

Patients have a right to access all information held about them, subject to certain limitations. You may request access to your records, corrections to inaccuracies, or raise privacy concerns. We are here to assist you in exercising these rights.

Contact Us

To access your information, correct any errors, raise privacy concerns, or learn more about our approach to personal information, please contact:

The Practice Manager
Montville Health Centre
Shop 6 & 7, Montville Village Square, 168-170 Main Street

Thank you for entrusting us with your healthcare needs. Your privacy and well-being are of paramount importance to us.