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Privacy Policy

Our practice and your privacy

We need to obtain and record information from individual patients to ensure that patients are suitable for osteopathic treatment and that any health care provided is as safe and effective as possible.

​Your personal information is handled in accordance with the practice’s privacy policy. We strive to ensure this is consistent with contemporary privacy legislation. You are entitled to know what information is held about you; how and under what circumstances it may be disclosed; when consent is required for these purposes; and how your information is stored.

This policy is designed to outline how we endeavour to protect the privacy of your personal health information.

Collection use and disclosure of your health information

Information about your medical history and your family medical history is necessary to form accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. This information is generally collected directly from you or otherwise with your consent. However, from time to time we may receive information from others, like X-Rays and letters of referral. When this occurs, we will, where possible, make sure you know we have received this information.

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​Medicare, Department of Veterans Affairs, and other bodies like WorkCover require a range of patient health information to be collected by all health practitioners. Some information about you is also provided to Medicare and private health funds if relevant, for billing and medical rebate purposes.

 

To ensure quality and continuity of patient care your health information may have to be shared with other health care providers from time to time.

 

There are also situations where a health practitioner can be legally bound to disclose personal information. An example of this is mandatory reporting of certain crimes.

George is a member of AHPRA and have undertaken education in Privacy.

 

It is necessary for us to keep your information for 7 years after your last attendance, or as long as prudent administrative needs.

Access to your information

You have the right to access your information. You may ask to view the information or ask for a copy of a part or the whole record. You may be asked to clarify the scope of the request. Often such a request will need to be in writing. There are some circumstances where you may be declined, but in such an event you will be informed of the reasons.

A charge may be payable where the practice incurs costs in providing access- particularly if a copy is required. This is allowable under the privacy guidelines.

The material that the health professional has copyright over might be subject to conditions that prevent further copying or publication without the professional’s permission.

If you find the information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may have that information amended accordingly.

Upon a request, the patient’s health information held by this practice will be made available to another health service provider.

Parents, Guardians and Children 

Under the privacy guidelines the right of children to the privacy of their health information is based on the professional judgment of the Osteopath and consistent with the law, might be restricted from access by parents or guardians.

Informed consent to treatment policy

We adhere to best practices across the health care industry.  When it comes to providing any type of intervention with patients in the form of hands-on osteopathic treatments like massage, joint mobilization, stretching and muscle techniques, best practice involves gaining informed consent.

 

This is obtained from all our prospective osteopathic patients before any examination or treatment is performed.  This process involves communication of the potential risks that are involved with manual therapy examination and treatment to a patient before it takes place to allow them to make an informed decision about whether it is right for them to proceed.

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We never treat without informed consent.

 

If the patient decides not to consent to treatment, we will do our best to advise them of what other alternative options might be available to them.

Cancellation of appointments policy

We understand that unforeseen circumstances may develop that prevent you from making an appointment. Please provide us with as much time as possible if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment. This allows other patients who may need treatment to utilise the booking time. We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee if you fail to provide 24 hours notice of a cancellation.

Health insurance rebates

Most levels of private health insurance offer some rebate for osteopathic treatment.

  • Please check with your insurance company before your appointment that your chosen service treatment is covered under your premium.

  • The clinic has the HICAPS system installed allowing you to claim your rebate instantly. For more info and to check if your fund is covered you can check out their website here: www.hicaps.com.au.

Responding to the global pandemic 

The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients and therapists is our priority.  We will continue to follow the guidelines set out by the Australian Government, including increased cleaning and hygiene practices in the Clinic and maintaining social distancing in the common areas.  Please do not come into the clinic if:

  • You have a cough, sore/scratchy throat, fever, runny nose, loss of taste or loss of smell

  • You have a sick family member at home or have been in contact with someone who is sick

If any of the above apply to you, please do not come into the clinic.  Stay home, call your GP or the National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080 and get tested for COVID-19.

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