This document describes the privacy policy of Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support for the management of clients’ personal information. The NDIS/ psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Client files are held in a purpose-built electronic document management system, which is accessible only to authorised employees. 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.
A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during clinical consultation with Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support including when the client provides information directly to Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support employees such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to The Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.
If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support may not be able to provide the clinical service to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support to deal with the client or if Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.
A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing clinical services, which includes assessing and supporting a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained to document what happens during sessions and enables the clinician to provide a relevant and informed services.
Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:
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.
If unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.
At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. Depending on the information requested, the clinician 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 Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support Management Team. These requests will be responded to in writing within 10 business days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.
If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Dandelion and Orchid Therapeutic Support. 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.