Patient Information

Patient Privacy Policy

Waverley Plastic Surgery is committed to providing quality health care to clients and their families. Both Guy Dowling and David Ying along with staff regard information as confidential and will strive to only collect this information with patient consent. A patient's personal information is handled in accordance with our privacy policy and consistent with the privacy legislation.

The Collection, Use and Disclosure of Your Information

Information covering a patient's medical and family history is essential to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment. It is usual to gather this information hom the patient or family members: however, sometimes we may receive patient information hom others. When this occurs, this practice will, where ever possible, make sure a patient knows we have this information.

Health information may be shared with other health professionals involved with a patient's care. It is our usual practice to communicate with your referring Doctor in writing after a consultation.

Some information about patients is also provided to Medicare and private health funds if relevant, for billing and medical rebate purposes.
There are some circumstances where a medical practitioner is legally bound to disclose personal information, for example the mandatory reporting of some infectious diseases. It is necessary for us to retain patient information after the last attendance for as long as is required by law.

Access

A patient has a right to access their information. They may ask to view the information or request to copy the whole record or a part thereof. There are some circumstances in which access may be denied but in such an event, the patient will be advised of the reason. The right of children to privacy of their health information - based on the professional judgement of the
health practitioner and consistent with the law, might at times, restrict access to this information by parents or guardians.

If a patient finds the information held is not accurate or complete, the patient may have that information amended accordingly. Upon request, a patient's health information will be made available to another health practitioner.

Complaints

Please do not hesitate to discuss any concerns, questions or complaints about any issues related to the privacy of your personal information with us.

If you are still dissatisfied you can contact the Federal Privacy Commissioner at:

• Level 8, Piccadilly Tower,
  133Castlereagh Street,
  SYDNEY NSW 2000
• Privacy Hotline: 1300 363 992
  Website: www.privacy.gov.au

[Page last updated February 14, 2010 ]