This document describes the privacy policy of Life Matters Psychologist 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
Client files are stored in an electronic document management system which is accessible only to authorised employees. 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 psychological service.
How Clients Personal Information Is Collected
A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation with Life Matters Psychologists including when the client provides information directly to Life Matters Psychologists using digital forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Life Matters Psychologists employees such as the admin team, and when other health practitioners provide personal information Life Matters Psychologists, 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, Life Matters Psychologists may not be in a position to provide service. Clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Life Matters Psychologists to deal with the client or if Life Matters Psychologists is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals. In most cases it will not be possible for the client to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, however if the psychologist agrees to the client being anonymous or using a pseudonym, the client must pay consultation fees at the time of the appointment.
Purpose Of Holding Personal Information
A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, 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 the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.
Disclosure Of Personal Information
Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:
- it is subpoenaed by a court
- When failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of the Life Matters Psychologists place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety.
- The client’s prior approval has been obtained to provide a written report to another professional or agency, eg, a GP or a lawyer
- information within a child/adolescent’s (under the age of 18) client file may be formally requested by their legal guardian. A legal guardian is anyone who has parental rights over the child/adolescent. This means that in cases where parents are separated/divorced and both parents have legal guardianship over the child/adolescent they may request information from the file. If this information is formally requested it may be provided, without prejudice to separated parents or conflict between parents, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Circumstances where the information may not be provided include (but are not limited to): where revealing the information may reasonably lead to substantial risk of harm to others; where revealing the information may unduly violate the privacy of a third party; or where there are special legal injunctions against sharing of information regarding individuals who may be referenced within the file (e.g., Apprehended Violence Orders). Any and all information provided to a psychologist regarding a client will be placed on their file and must be provided upon any valid formal request for file information.
- If you have been referred by a GP under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) we are obligated to provide a letter to your GP after the 6th and 10th appointments. There is no charge for this.
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. The psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). 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 with Life Matters Psychologists. 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 Matthew Stanton, Partner and Clinical Psychologist, Life Matters Psychologists, 02 4965 3530. 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, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.