Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information 10.03.2024
This document describes the privacy policy of The Brainy Bunch for the management of your personal information. Our practice is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
The type of information we may collect and hold includes: Contact Information (e.g. name, address, date of birth, email address, telephone numbers); Identifiers (e.g. Government identifiers like Medicare number, DVA number or Private Health Policy identifiers); Health Information (e.g. diagnoses, treatment plans and summaries, health or medical reports and test results, medications or prescriptions provided, genetic information); Personal Information (e.g. next-of-kin, gender, sexuality, race or religion); Administrative Information (e.g. appointment and billing details); or any other personal information collected as part of providing you a healthcare service.
Personal information is collected in several ways when accessing services from The Brainy Bunch. We will generally collect personal information using: hard copy or electronic copy forms, face-to-face discussion, telephone conversation, email or online inquiry forms, people responsible for you or your care, from third parties where the Privacy Act or other laws allow (e.g. other members of your treating team, diagnostic centres, hospitals, My Health Record System, electronic prescription services, Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, past care providers, or other relevant third parties). Personal information is held in practice management software (Halaxy or Xestro) using secure cloud storage that is encrypted and meets Australian standards, or in a lockable cabinet which is accessible only to authorised employees or your healthcare providers.
If you do not wish for personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, The Brainy Bunch may not be in a position to provide the healthcare service to you. In some circumstances, you may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for The Brainy Bunch to deal with you or if The Brainy Bunch is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.
Personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing a healthcare service. Personal information is retained and used in order to: provide relevant and informed services; to communicate with you and relevant other parties; to comply with our legal obligations (including but not limited to mandatory reporting under child protection legislation or notification of communicable diseases); to manage our accounts and administrative services; for insurance claiming; to liaise with your health fund and/or any other relevant government or regulatory bodies (e.g. Medicare, The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner).
Personal information will remain confidential except when: it is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; failure to disclose the information would, in the reasonable belief of your healthcare provider, place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; your approval has been obtained to provide a written report to another agency or professional (e.g. another specialist, a GP or a lawyer), or to discuss the material with another person (e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, treating team, or third party funding provider), or to disclose the information in another way, or to another professional or agency and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.
Personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless your consent is obtained or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose. In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a personal information occurs, The Brainy Bunch will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.
You have a right to seek access to, and correction of the personal information which we hold about you. Your healthcare provider may discuss the contents with you and/or give you a copy, subject to the exceptions noted in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with the Practice Manager. These requests will be responded to in writing within 30 days and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.
We take your privacy and the use of your personal information very seriously. If you have a concern or complaint about the management of your personal information, you may inform the Practice Manager at The Brainy Bunch or your healthcare provider. You are asked to provide your concerns or complaints in writing. We will respond to your concerns within 30 days. Upon request, you can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describes your rights and how personal information should be handled. If you are dissatisfied with our response, or if you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online here or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5288, Sydney, NSW 2001.
This Policy will be reviewed from time to time to take account of new laws and technology, changes to our operations and other necessary developments. Updates will be publicised on the practice’s website.
HOW TO
To begin psychological therapy or an assessment
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist for therapy or assessment. However, Medicare rebates are available for those who have a Mental Health Care Plan. To obtain a Mental Health Care Plan, you will need to visit your GP or a Psychiatrist or a Paediatrician. Medicare rebates are not offered for assessments.
To book an appointment with a Paediatrician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist or Paediatric Neurologist
For an appointment with one of our medical specialists, please see your General Practitioner (GP) or current medical specialist and discuss a referral to our service. A referral from a GP or medical specialist is required, and once this has been received, our team will be in contact with you.
To begin speech therapy or a language assessment
You do not need a referral to see a speech pathologist for an assessment or therapy. However, Medicare rebates may be available for those who have a Chronic Disease GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement. You will need to speak with your GP to determine if you are eligible for referral under these schemes. Medicare referrals are also available under a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder or other eligible disability (including Autism) scheme. Speak to your child’s GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist for a referral under this scheme.
HAVE A QUESTION?
For enquiries or to book an appointment, please email admin@thebrainybunch.com.au or call (07) 3846 4554. Alternatively, you can complete the contact form below, and one of our reception team will be in touch to answer your query or book an appointment.