Introduction
The purpose of this document is to outline how After Hours Service – DIAL A HOME DOCTOR complies with its confidentiality and privacy obligations. As an organisation, Principal concern is and always will be the health of our patients. A high level of trust and confidentiality is required to ensure the confidence of the patients we see.
Patients will be assured that:

• their privacy will be protected when using our After Hours Service –DIAL A HOME DOCTOR
• Clinical notes are faxed straight to their own GP for follow up treatment and care the very next day.

Health information
DIAL A HOME DOCTOR recognises that the information we collect is often of a highly sensitive nature and as an organisation we have adopted the highest privacy compliance standards relevant to DIAL A HOME DOCTOR to ensure personal information is protected.
Personal information collected will generally include:

• the patient’s name, address, telephone number and Medicare number,
• current drugs or treatments used by the patient,
• previous/current medical history, including, where clinically relevant, a family medical history, and
• the name of their health service provider or medical specialist to send the completed consultation document to.

Use or disclosure of personal information

Personal information collected by DIAL A HOME DOCTOR may be used or disclosed:

• for the purpose advised to the patient at the time of collection of the information,
• as required for delivery of the health service to the patient,
• as required under compulsion of law, or
• where there is a serious and imminent threat to an individual’s life, health, or safety; or a serious threat to public health or public safety.
• DIAL A HOME DOCTOR may use or disclose personal information for quality assurance, training, billing, liaising with government offices regarding Medicare entitlements and payments and as may be required by the Medical Centre’s insurers.

Accuracy of your information
DAHD is committed to ensuring your information is accurate and has processes in place to ensure that the accuracy of this information is maintained. If you believe that the personal information DIAL A HOME DOCTOR holds about you is inaccurate, please inform the manager at DIAL A HOME DOCTOR .

Security of information collected
Other than as described in this Policy or permitted under privacy principles, DIAL A HOME DOCTOR uses its reasonable endeavours to ensure that identifying health information is not disclosed to any person unnecessarily or irresponsibly.
Due to the sensitive nature of the information collected by DIAL A HOME DOCTOR to provide its services, extra precautions are taken to ensure the security of that information. Information may be stored electronically and / or in hard copy form. All electronically stored files are password-protected on several levels, and regular backups of data are performed.
DIAL A HOME DOCTOR requires its employees to observe obligations of confidentiality in the course of their employment with all staff/contractors signing Confidentiality Agreements.

How long are medical records kept? (Paper records)
DIAL A HOME DOCTOR does not keep medical records (only computerised) as we are a service that fills the after – hours need (gap) and all consultation notes are immediately sent to patients relevant GP’s.

Accessing your information
On request, you may have access to your information held by DIAL A HOME DOCTOR except in circumstances where access may be denied under the ‘Privacy Act’ or other laws.

Changes to the Privacy Policy
DIAL A HOME DOCTOR has the right to change the Privacy Policy at any time. If there are updates to DIAL A HOME DOCTOR Privacy Policy, we will address the changes promptly and update the revision date of this document. You may visit the Australian Privacy Principles at https://www.oaic.gov.au/individuals/privacy-fact-sheets/general/privacy-fact-sheet-17-australian-privacy-principles.

Obtaining further information
If patients require more information regarding DIAL A HOME DOCTOR, its services and facilities, they can:

• Call our Head Office ,
• access DIAL A HOME DOCTOR website, or
• Request / print a copy of ‘Practice Information Sheet’ available from our website.
• You can visit the Australian Privacy Principles at oaic.qov.au

Contact information
If you have any queries regarding our Privacy Policy please contact:
Head Office:
Office Manager
DIAL A HOME DOCTOR
Shop 13, Uniplaza Shopping Centre, 468 West Street TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350.

Or by, visiting our website you can submit a compliment, complaint or suggestion at www.myhomedoctor.com.au

Disclaimer
While we make every effort to protect your privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law where we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our company or site.