Privacy Policy

Introduction

This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, 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 patient of our practice, you provide consent for our Practitioners and practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible treatment advice and outcomes. 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.

What personal information do we collect?

The information we will collect about you includes:

• names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
• medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors

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?

Our practice will collect your personal information: 1. When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your patient registration. 2. During the course of providing medical 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, make an online appointment. 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 specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services

Who do we share your personal information with?

We sometimes share your personal information:

• with third parties who work with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with Australian Privacy Principles and this policy
• with other healthcare providers
• when it is required or authorised by law (e.g. 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 patient’s consent
• to assist in locating a missing person
• to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim
• for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process
• when there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification)

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

How do we store and protect your personal information?

Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms.

• Electronic records
• Paper records
• Photographic records

Our practice stores all personal information securely.

• Electronic format with protected passwords
• Confidentiality agreements with staff and contractors

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. Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing via mail or email and our practice will respond within a reasonable time of 15 days, alternatively you can make an appointment to see your Practitioner. Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up-to-date. Each time you make an appointment, we will ask you to verify your personal information held by our practice is correct and up-to-date. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to info@begone.com.au or via post BeGone Skin & Body, 508 Marmion St Booragoon WA 6154.

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 in accordance with our resolution procedure. Please address all communication to BeGone Skin & Body, 508 Marmion St, Booragoon, WA 6154. Our practice will respond within a reasonable time of 15 days. You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Generally the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond, before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 336 002.

Privacy and our website

We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website (use of our online enquiry form), send us an email or make an appointment via our online booking system or app.

Policy review statement

This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. BeGone Skin & Body will display this in the treatment rooms.