Privacy Statement

Introduction 

This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our client, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.  

Why and when your consent is necessary  

When you register as a client of our practice, you provide consent for our dietitian(s) to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible dietetic services. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.  

Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information?  

Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide dietetic services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health and wellbeing. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments. 

What personal information do we collect?  

The information we will collect about you includes your: 

  • names, date of birth, addresses, contact details  
  • medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, social history, family history and risk factors, growth history and feeding/nutrition history.  
  • Medicare number and/or NDIS participant number (where required) for identification and claiming purposes  

Dealing with us anonymously  

You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.  

How do we collect your personal information?  

Accessible Nutrition may collect your personal information in several different ways. 

  1. When you make your first appointment we will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.  
  2. During the course of providing dietetic services, we may collect further personal information.  
  3. We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us or communicate with us using social media.  
  4. In some circumstances, personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from: 
  • your guardian or responsible person 
  • other involved healthcare providers, such as doctors, specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology services 
  • your health fund, the NDIS, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary).  

When, why and with whom do we share your personal information? 

We sometimes share your personal information: 

  • with other healthcare providers 
  • when it is required or authorised by law (eg court subpoenas)  
  • when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the client’s consent 
  • for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process  
  • when there is a requirement to share certain personal information (eg child protection concerns) 

Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing dietetic services or as otherwise described in this policy, Accessible Nutrition will not share personal information with any third party without your consent. 

We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent. 

Accessible Nutrition will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying us in writing.  

How do we store and protect your personal information? 

Your personal information may be stored at Accessible Nutrition in various forms including electronic records and paper records. 

Our practice stores all personal information securely. Electronic records are password protected and paper records are kept in a locked filing cabinet when not in use. 

Records will be kept for 7 years or until the client turns 25 (whichever is longest). 

How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice? 

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. 

Accessible Nutrition acknowledges clients may request access to their dietetic records. We require you to put this request in writing to Charity Spalding (the owner and operator of Accessible Nutrition) and we will respond within a reasonable time.  

Accessible Nutrition will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by us is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to Charity Spalding at charity@accessiblenutrition.com.au  

How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice? 

We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it as soon as possible. Please make Charity Spalding aware of any privacy concerns that you have by calling 0407 320 507 or emailing charity@accessiblenutrition.com.au.  

You may also contact the Dietitians Association of Australia to make a complaint by visiting www.daa.asn.au.  

 

Privacy and our website  

Any personal information you provide through www.accessiblenutrition.com.au will be used in accordance with the terms in this privacy policy.  

Any information you provide to our social media pages (eg. Facebook) is not governed by this policy as the Facebook page is a public page, viewable by anyone.  

 

Policy review statement 

This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. It will also be reviewed should Accessible Nutrition grow to include other staff. We will notify all current clients of changes at their next appointment. 

Updated on 21/09/2017. Version 1