Managing and protecting personal information

At Australian Eye Specialists, we’re committed to being open and transparent about how we manage and protect the personal information you, the patient, hand over to us. This Privacy Statement describes how we collect information about you and how we use your information when you access our website. This website is owned by Australian Eye Specialists and is intended for use by residents of Australia.

You may choose to withhold your personal information. Giving us more information will help us to provide you with the best possible service. If you don’t want to give us any personal information, you may choose to access our services anonymously (Australian Privacy Principle 2).

What information does Australian Eye Specialists need to collect from you and why?

Australian Eye Specialists collects information for the purpose of identifying you for service delivery.This information includes name, date of birth, address, phone number, Medicare number, DVA number, and/or Centrelink CRN.

Other information might include gender, Aboriginal background, language spoken, interpreter requirements, living arrangements and details of your referring practitioner and regular GP. Your information may also be used for the purposes of billing relevant authorities for services provided (APP1, 3, 5, 6, 10).

Additional information relating to your health, including medical conditions or disabilities may also be collected assisting us to provide you with the best possible care.

How does Australian Eye Specialists collect and handle sensitive information?

Sensitive information includes:
(a) Personal information;

• racial or ethnic origin, or
• religious beliefs or affiliations, or
• philosophical beliefs, or
• sexual orientation or practices, or
• criminal record

(b) Specific health information about you;
(c) Genetic information about you.

We will only ask you for sensitive information if it is relevant to the service/s you are receiving from us. This information is stored within our secure client management system and can only be accessed by the people you are working with. Nexus cannot pass your information onto other services/organisations without your consent.

How does Australian Eye Specialists collect and use Individual Health Identifiers (IHI)?

f you have registered to have an Individual Health Identifier, then our software system will obtain this information from Medicare. IHI’s are collected and held by approved healthcare providers. They are used for accessing and updating the My Health Record, and are not disclosed to any external party.

How does Australian Eye Specialists use your information for the electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (eTP) Services?

Australian Eye Specialists does not provide an E-Script services (APP 5).  

How do we keep your information secure?

Your information is stored within our secure client management system and can only be accessed by unique passwords created by individual Nexus staff (APP 11). Different staff have different levels of access to personal records and files, dependent on their role.

Why do you give consent?

Your consent is required before your personal details can be shared with other parties or services. Your consent allows relevant Australian Eye Specialists staff to access and share information if they are working with you. Your personal records cannot be sent to any other person or agency without your consent (APP 6).

Can consent be withdrawn?

You have the right to withdraw your consent to share your personal information at any time. Please discuss this with Australian Eye Specialists staff. It may lead to difficulty in providing you with the best possible care (APP 6).

How can I have information on my file updated?

Should your personal details change and need updating, speak to our staff. They can update your contact details – change of address, phone number, next of kin. Other changes can be made by putting your concern in writing to the Practice Manager (APP 12, 13).

What will happen if an interstate or overseas organisation requests my information?

If we receive notification requesting your personal information to be shared with another organisation, we will discuss the request with you. You will be required to provide written consent for your information to be shared (APP 8).

Conflict of Interest

Australian Eye Specialists has a Conflict of Interest policy. There may be situations when we need to inform you of a conflict of interest that may impact on your services. If you also believe that there is a conflict of interest in the services you are receiving, please notify the Practice Manager.  

When might we have to breach your privacy?

Like any health professional we have a duty of care to you and others, including our staff. In some circumstances we may have to breach your privacy in order to protect you or somebody else from physical harm (APP 6).

What can you do if you believe your privacy has been breached?

If you believe there has been a breach of your privacy by Australian Eye Specialists employees, you can put your request in writing or by phone to the Practice Manager.

If you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you can take the complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Contact details for OAIC are via OAIC website: www.oaic.gov.au/individuals/how-do-i-make-a- privacy-complaint

Contact details for Australian Eye Specialists:

Practice Manager

Australian Eye Specialists

Level 1, 242 Hoppers Lane

Werribee VIC 3030

www.australianeyespecialists.com

This information has been developed to inform you of our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) which includes the Australian Privacy Principles (APP).  www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-resources/privacy-fact-sheets/other/privacy-fact-sheet-17-australian-privacy-principles, Information Privacy Act 2000 (Victoria) and Health Records Act 2001 (Victoria).

Using the Contact Form on our Website

When you use our Contact Form, you are voluntarily giving us personal information via the web. When you click send on the Contact Form, an email is sent to info@australianeyespecialists.com, and from that we collect your name, email address, and any content you have added to the body of your message. We use that personal information to respond to your online form enquiry.  

You have a right to access the personal information that we hold about you and to request corrections to it. This means that you may ask us to provide you with specific personal information we have collected about you and from you. You may also provide us with instructions to correct, amend or update your personal information.

If you have any questions about how we handle your personal information, contact us via email at info@australianeyespecialists.com or the telephone numbers available on the website, and we will respond to your request within ten business days.