Focus Optics Privacy Policy

Collection

It is necessary for us to collect oinformation from patients and others associated with their health care, in order to attend to their health needs.

Sensitive Information

Health information is sensitive information, for the purposes of privacy legislation. This means that generally patients consent will be sought to collect health information that is necessary for accurate dispensing of their ocular needs.

Use and Discolsure

A patients personal information is used or dislosed only for the purposes directly related to their eye care and in ways that are consistent with the patients expectations. In the interests of the highest quality and continuity of eye care this may include sharing of information with other persons charged with the responsibility of administering a persons eye care. In addition there are circumstances when information may have to be disclosed without a patients consent.

• Emergency situations
• By law e.g. Mandatory reporting
• When called on to report to fulfil insurance obligations
• Provision of information to medicare or private health funds for billing and rebate purposes.

Information held on individual patients will not be used for other purposes without their consent.

Data Quality

All patient information held by us relevant to patients eye needs will be maintained in a form that is accurate, complete and up to date.

Data Security

The storage, use and where necessary, transfer of personal information will be undertaken in a secure manner that protects patients privacy.
It is necessary for us to keep patient information after your last attendance for as long as is required by law or is prudent having regard to administrative requirements.

Openness

We have made this and other information available to patients to inform them of our policies on management of personal information. On request we will let patients know generally what sort of personal information we hold and for what purposes, and how we hold, use, collect and disclose that information.

Access and Correction

Patients may request access to their personal information held by this practice.

• Where necessary persons will be given the opportunity to amend any personal information held that is incorrect.
• If access is restricted the reasons for such restriction will be explained.
• A charge may be payable if we incur any cost in providing such access.
• We acknowledge the right of children to privacy, and based on our professional judgement, it may be necessary to restrict information by parents and guardians.

Identifiers

These are number, letter or symbols that are used to identify persons with or without the use of a name.

Anominity

A patient has the right to be dealt with anonymously, provided it is lawful and practicable. However in certain contexts it is not likely to be practicable or possible for medicare and insurance rebate purposes.