Privacy and confidentiality at the Low Cost Clinic
The LCA clinic will protect the privacy and confidentiality of those accessing the clinic for treatment in accordance with relevant State and Federal Legislation.
Collection
We will collect only personal information that is necessary for the provision of clinical services.
Use and disclosure
We will only use or disclose health information for the primary purpose for which it was collected: that is, the provision of treatment.
All personal information gathered during the provision of the service will remain confidential to the clinic team. The only circumstances where information may be disclosed without a person’s consent is if the practitioner is required to do so by law or where there is a direct and imminent threat to the safety or health of the service user or of another person.
Data quality
Clinicians working in the clinic will be required to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete and up to date.
Data security and retention
We will take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.
Clinicians will keep records in a manner that is safe and secure, with properly limited access, and from which timely retrieval is possible.
Clinicians will inform the service user more about how data is secured and retained in their first session.
Openness
We will provide those accessing clinical services with a brochure on the management of their personal information.
Access and correction
Clinicians are required to keep your file for a minimum of 7 years. You may access the information in your file on request, subject to the exceptions in the National Privacy Principles.
All requests for access should be forwarded to the clinical coordinating committee at adminlcc@lacancircle.com.au.
Transborder data flows
We will only transfer health information outside Victoria if the organisation receiving it is subject to laws substantially similar to Victoria’s. If a person’s personal information travels, their privacy protection should travel with it.
Transfer/closure of a health service practice
If our clinic is being transferred or closed down, without us continuing to provide services, the LCA will give notice of the transfer or closure to past service users.