Every Word Speech Pathology

05.11.2024

1. PART 1 – ABOUT THIS POLICY

1.1 Purpose

Every Word Speech Pathology is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect and hold about individuals.

Every Word Speech Pathology complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), other privacy laws that govern how private sector health service providers like Every Word Speech Pathology handle your personal information (including your health information), and Speech Pathology Australia’s Code of Ethics (2010).

This Privacy Policy explains how Every Word Speech Pathology manages the personal information we collect, use and disclose.

Every Word Speech Pathology is a private speech pathology practice under the ownership of Stephanie Ryan.

2. PART 2 – HOW EVERY WORD SPEECH PATHOLOGY HANDLES YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

2.1 Every Word Speech Pathology Legal Obligations

In order to provide you with the health care services that you have requested; Every Word Speech Pathology will need to collect and use your personal information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us or withhold personal and health information from us, we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking.

2.2 What information does Every Word Speech Pathology collect?

We will only collect the information we need for the particular function or activity we are carrying out.

We collect information from you that is necessary to provide you with speech pathology services and to manage our relationship with you. The information we collect includes: names, date of birth, address, phone numbers and information about health and developmental history and family history. We require this information to assist in the diagnostic and treatment process.

2.3 How does Every Word Speech Pathology collect health information?

We will usually collect your health information directly from you. This may come from talking to you or from reports from other providers that you supply. Sometimes, however we may need to collect information about you from a third party (such as a relative or another health service provider). In such cases we will seek your permission first and will not proceed unless we have written permission form you.

2.4 How does Every Word Speech Pathology use your information?

When Every Word Speech Pathology collects your Personal Information, we will explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it. We will use your information to provide speech pathology services to you, to manage our relationship with you and to contact you in relation to matters concerning your care.

Who might we disclose your information to?

We may disclose your information to the following people:

(a) disclosure to other health professionals involved in your treatment

Your personal information will generally only be used by the speech pathologist involved in your care, however on occasion your care may be provided by a number of professionals (for example., speech pathologist, occupational therapist, teachers and/or psychologist) working or consulting together. We may disclose your information to these professionals as part of the process of providing your care and to other health professionals involved in your care.

(b) Relatives, guardian, close friends or legal representative

Unless you tell us that you do not wish us to disclose your health information to any such person, we may provide information about your condition to your parent, child, other relatives, close personal friends, guardians, or to a responsible person for you.

Other uses and disclosures

In order to provide the best possible environment in which to treat you, we may also use or disclose your personal and health information where necessary for:

· activities such as quality assurance processes, accreditation, audits, risk and claims management, patient satisfaction surveys, supervision and staff education and training;

· mandatory reporting;

· invoicing, billing and account management;

· to liaise with your health fund, Medicare and where required provide information to your health fund, Medicare or the Department of Veteran's Affairs to verify treatment provided to you;

· the purpose of sending you standard reminders, for example for appointments and follow-up care, by text message or email to the number or address which you have provided to us.

· to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life of you or another person.

(f) Other uses with your consent

Please note, however, that unless you provide us with your express consent for this purpose, we will not use your information in this way.

Collection of audio and visual recordings during assessment and intervention sessions. These recordings will be used for the purposes of conducting accurate assessments of your communication skills, monitoring progress during intervention and developing tailored therapy plans and strategies. Audio and visual recordings will not be used for any purpose other than assessment and intervention without the Client’s prior written consent and will be deleted following it’s intended use.

2.5 Access to and correction of your health information

You have a right to access the personal and health information that we hold about you. You can also request an amendment to your personal and health information should you believe that it is inaccurate. If you wish to access your Personal or Health records, please speak to a staff member.

In order to protect your Personal or Health Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

If we do not agree to change your medical record/personal information in accordance with your request, we will permit you to make a statement of the requested changes and we will enclose this with your record.

Access may be denied in part or in total where;

· the request is frivolous or vexatious;

· providing access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of other individuals;

· providing access would be likely to prejudice an investigation of possible unlawful activity;

· providing access would pose a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of nay individual; and

· denying access is required or authorised by or under law.

2.6 Data Quality

Every Word Speech Pathology will take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information which we may collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date.

2.7 Data Security

Every Word Speech Pathology will take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Every Word Speech Pathology will destroy or permanently de-identify any of your information which is in its possession and which is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was collected provided Every Word Speech Pathology is not required under an Australian law or court/tribunal or otherwise to retain the information. Every Word Speech Pathology will retain your documents for the required seven years.

2.8 What to do if you have a complaint about privacy issues

If:

(a) you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy;

(b) Every Word Speech Pathology does not agree to provide you with access to your personal information; or

You can lodge a complaint with or contact us on the details below. We will promptly review your complaint and provide a response to you.

2.9 How to contact us if you have a complaint about privacy issues:

Via email: stephanie@everywordsp.com.au

Privacy policy

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