PRIVACY POLICY

As a registered Allied Health Provider, Sunrise Psychology and Health complies with the requirements of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000, in addition to observing the ethical guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. 

Sunrise Psychology and Health has a commitment to the protection of all client information under the relevant Acts and guidelines.  This document describes the Sunrise Psychology and Health privacy policy for the management of clients’ personal information. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Client Information

Client files are stored on a secure database which is accessible only to authorised employees with Sunrise Psychology & Health and our administration service. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service.

How clients’ personal information is collected

A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation within the Sunrise Psychology and Health Practice, including when the client provides information directly to their Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist using hard-copy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Sunrise Psychology and Health employees, subcontractors, reception service and when other health practitioners provide personal information to your Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist, via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

Consequence of not providing personal information

If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, their Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client. Clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for their Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist to work with the client in this way, or if the Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals. In most cases, it will not be possible for you to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, however if your Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist agrees to you being anonymous or using a pseudonym, you will be unable to utilise a GP Mental Health Care Plan or Private Health Insurance and therefore must pay consultation fees at the time of the appointment.

Purpose of holding personal information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing services, which includes assessing, and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed service.

Disclosure of personal information

Clients’ personal information will not be disclosed except when:

1. It is subpoenaed by a court; or
2. Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of the Sunrise Psychology and Health Psychologist places a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or
3. The client’s prior approval has been obtained to:
a) provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or
b) discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer or health provider; or
c) disclose the information in another way; or
4. Disclosure is otherwise required by law.

A client’s personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Clients’ personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage, clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. The psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with the Director at Sunrise Psychology and Health, Meg Foreman. These requests will be responded to in writing within 28 days, and an appointment will be made for clarification purposes if necessary.

Contact by Sunrise Psychology and Health

Sunrise Psychology and Health would like to stay in contact with you by email in future to send you information and marketing communications about our products, services, as well as tip sheets, strategies or activities that we consider may be of interest to you. You may unsubscribe from receiving any marketing communication from us at any time. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications from us please contact us via the details provided above or opt-out through the ‘Unsubscribe’ link provided at the bottom of our marketing emails.

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform the Director of Sunrise Psychology and Health, Meg Foreman. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.