Aim:
To uphold rights of individuals and the organisation in relation to privacy and provide safeguards for the disclosure of clinical, non-clinical and personal information.
Rationale:
WRHS needs to maintain confidentiality in relation to private and sensitive information in order to create an environment that is respectful of the rights of service users and employees.
Policy
- Wodonga Regional Health Service (WRHS) will conform to the legislation, requirements and standards relating to information privacy, including the Department of Human Services Information Privacy Principles (1999) in order to protect the rights of people in relation to collection, use, disclosure, access, transmission, security and disposal of personal information.
- Board members, employees and students will be informed about privacy and confidentiality requirements and will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement relating to their role.
- All people about whom personal information is collected will be provided with information about why the information is needed and how it will be managed.
- Privacy rights and confidentiality in relation to personal and/or sensitive information will be upheld regardless of whether the information is stored and communicated through manual or electronic systems, or is communicated verbally.
- Auditory and visual privacy will be maximised as far as possible to protect personal or sensitive information.
- People about whom personal information is held, including patients/consumers, carers and employees will be provided with access to their records and the capacity to make corrections in accordance with Freedom of Information legislation and procedures.
- Disclosure of personal and health information will only occur where allowed under law and with required consent.
- All requests for access to health information under the Freedom of Information Act and formal complaints regarding privacy or the handling of confidential information will be managed by the Privacy Officer / Health Information Manager.
Annexes:
Other Relevant Information:
- Access and Security Policy.
- Release of Patient / Client Information Policy.
- Retention and Destruction Policy.
- Electronic Mail and Web Based Services Policy.
- WRMHS Consumer Rights Policy.
- WRMHS Carer Rights Policy.
- Release of Patient / Client Information Procedure.
- Confidentiality Agreement Procedure.
References:
- Health Records Act 2001.
- Health Services Act 1988.
- Information Privacy Act 2000.
- Freedom of Information Act 1982.
- Mental Health Act Section 120A 1986.
- Children’s and Young Persons Act 1989.
- Mental Health Program Circular 4 / 1996: Amendments to Section 120A of the Mental Health Act 1986 – Confidentiality.
- National Standards for Mental Health Services – 5 Privacy & Confidentiality 5.1, 5.2, 5.3.
Contact Point: Chief Health Information Manager.
