Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information
This document describes the privacy policy of SGW Psychology for the management of clients’ personal information.
SGW Psychology is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and other relevant state laws about the management of personal information. This Privacy Policy applies to the personal information SGW Psychology handle about clients and prospective clients that uses or has used the service and facilities, visitors to the website sgwpsychology.com.au, and users of the SGW Psychology services. By accessing the website or using the services, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Client information
Client files are held in a secure filing cabinet 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 SGW Psychology, including when the client provides information directly to SGW Psychology using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, SMS, or when the client interacts directly with SGW Psychology employees, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to SGW Psychology 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, SGW 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 SGW Psychology to deal with the client or if SGW Psychology is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.
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 via Telehealth or in person. 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.
Why we collect your personal information
We collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information to carry out functions or activities such as:
- providing psychology services and facilities based at SGW Psychology or via telehealth
- assessing whether a psychologist or psychology practice is an appropriate service for you
- sending you communications via SMS or email to, for example, remind you about appointments with your psychologist, provide you with treatment resources and questionnaires and send you a copy of your invoices
- enabling you to receive the correct entitlements to benefits and funding for psychology services from third-party payers and to comply with their requirements
- responding to your enquiries, requests or feedback
- updating your records and keeping your information up to date.
If you have any concerns about the personal information SGW Psychology have asked you to provide please let SGW Psychology know.
Concerns
If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform SGW Psychology. 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.
