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Privacy policy for handling of personal information

This document describes the privacy policy of Grace Pope at Grace Pope Psychology for the management of your 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) and the Victorian Health Records Act (2001).

 

Personal information

Your information is stored securely and accessed only by Grace Pope and the authorised staff or providers of the practice, as required, in accordance with the practice’s policies and procedures.

 

Your information is stored using an online practice management software called Halaxy that adheres to Australian Privacy laws.

 

The information collected includes your personal details such as name, address and contact phone numbers. As part of providing a psychological service, such as a psychological assessment or treatment, Grace Pope will also need to collect and record other personal information that is relevant to your current situation. This includes keeping a record of what happens during sessions, any psychological tests you complete, and any information received from others, such as your GP, lawyer or insurance company.

 

How your personal information is collected

There are a number of ways your personal information is collected, including when:

• You provide information directly to Grace Pope using forms or surveys, in consultations and correspondence via phone or email.

• You interact directly with Grace Pope Psychology employees such as administration staff.

• Other health practitioners, such as your GP, provide personal information to Grace Pope via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

• Other sources, such as lawyers, employers or insurance companies provide personal information to Grace Pope through correspondence or reports.

If you have concerns that the information recorded is not correct, please discuss your concerns with administrative staff or Grace Pope.

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Purpose of holding personal information

Your personal information is gathered as part of your assessment and treatment and used for the purpose of providing a psychological service to you. Your information is retained to document what happens during sessions and enables Grace Pope to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. This information and record keeping is a necessary part of the service provided and guides treatment.

 

Consequences of not providing personal information

Psychologists are required to keep clear and accurate client records as part of their professional obligations.

 

If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected, Grace Pope may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to you. Please discuss any concerns you have with Grace Pope.

 

Accessing your personal information

At any stage, you can request to access your personal information kept on file. There may be some exceptions that impact your ability to access the information, which are outlined in the relevant legislation.

 

If you would like to access your information, please discuss it with Grace Pope or you can request in writing. All written requests for access to information will be responded to in writing within 14 days and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.

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Confidentiality of information

Personal information gathered by Grace Pope will remain confidential except for certain circumstances. In most cases, any sharing of information will only occur with your consent. The practice asks for your consent to share information when:

• Sharing information with a family member, guardian or carer.

• Discussing with others, such as your GP, employer, or any agencies which may be paying for your attendance.

• Providing a written report regarding your assessment or treatment to another professional or agency, such as your GP, lawyer or insurance company.

• For disclosing the information in any other way not referenced in this document.

Psychologists are required to consult and receive supervision from colleagues from time to time. If your information is shared in this context, all care is taken to deidentify your information in such a way that you remain anonymous.