CONFIDENTIALITY AND EQUALITY
Equality
We are an equal opportunities health service provider and employer. We treat our patients and staff equally and with respect regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, religion or beliefs. All our consulting and treatment rooms are fully wheelchair accessible and have a lift at the premise.
Confidentiality
At our Bellbird Medical Centre, all medical records are computerised and confidential. It is the policy of Bellbird Medical to maintain professional and ethical obligations and to ensure that the security of all personal health information is maintained in accordance with federal and state privacy law. This includes complying with the federal Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) forming part of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Victorian Health Privacy Principles (HPPs) forming part of the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). More information about the APPs and HPPs can be found on the Australian Information Commissioner’s website www.oaic.gov.au.
The practice will not disclose your personal health information to any third party unless:
- you have consented to the disclosure; or
- this disclosure is necessary because you are at risk of harm without treatment and you are unable to give consent – for example you might be unconscious after an accident; or
- your doctor is legally obliged to disclose the information (eg, notification of certain infectious diseases or suspected child abuse, or a subpoena or court order); or
- there is an overriding public health and safety interest in the release of the information.
This is one of the reasons why, the practice is unable to give out test results over the telephone.
Should you require further information please request a copy of the AMA privacy policy from our friendly staff.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO ABUSE.
VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
PATIENTS WHO ABUSE ANY MEMBER OF THE PRACTICE TEAM WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE
Bellbird Medical Centre, as an employer, is committed to maintaining a workplace free from threats and acts of intimidation and violence. All reported incidents will be investigated and, where appropriate, reported to the police.