Privacy Policy
Introduction
At Soul Medicine VAR we are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information and comply with all privacy obligations when collecting and storing personal information. This includes ensuring transparency with patients, obtaining necessary consents, maintaining data accuracy, securing information, and using it only for specified purposes.
This policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APP’s.)
Personal information and why we collect it
When used in this Policy, “personal information” has the meaning defined under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). In general terms, it refers to any information or opinion, whether true or not and whether recorded in a material form or not, that can reasonably identify you as an individual.
We collect, use, store, and share personal information for the primary purpose of providing safe, high-quality psychiatric services. Activities that fall within this remit include:
• Providing psychiatric treatment and services.
• Processing payments and insurance claims.
• Maintaining accurate medical records.
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
Circumstances in which we may disclose personal information include:
• With other healthcare providers involved in a patients care.
• With legal and regulatory authorities as required by law.
• To assist in locating a missing person.
• To establish, exercise, or defend a legal claim.
• If necessary for a confidential dispute resolution process.
We will not disclose personal information to any third party (including overseas recipients) without your consent and full disclosure to you regarding the reason for the information transfer, unless:
• Required to do so by law.
• It is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, and it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent.
This policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APP’s.)
How we collect personal information
We primarily collect personal information directly from patients and referring entities. In some circumstances, personal information may also be collected from:
• A patient’s legal guardian.
• Other healthcare providers involved in the patients care.
• The patient’s health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Our website
To improve user experience and measure visitor numbers, the Soul Medicine VAR website may use cookies (small data files that are stored on your device) to collect data. You can block or restrict the use of cookies in your web browser, however this may impact your experience of the website.
How we protect your personal information
Soul Medicine VAR takes all reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. This includes implementing best practice physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards. In addition to these measures, Soul Medicine VAR regularly conducts security audits and assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Notifiable Data Breach Scheme
In the unlikely event that your personal information is subject to unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss, and this is likely to result in serious harm to you, we will promptly investigate the incident.
If remedial action cannot prevent the risk of serious harm, we will notify you and report the breach to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Your privacy related rights as a patient of SMVAR
As a Soul Medicine VAR patient, you have the right to:
• Access your personal information.
• Withdraw consent for the collection and use of your personal information.
• Request the correction of any inaccurate information.
• Make a complaint about our management of your personal information.
Accessing and/or correcting personal information
Subject to the exceptions outlined in the Privacy Act, you have the right to access and/or correct your personal information. The access and correction requirements in the Privacy Act do not replace other informal or legal procedures by which an individual can be provided with access to, or correction of, their personal information, including the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
Request for access or correction of personal information can be requested via emailing admin@soulmedicinevar.com.au
Privacy Related Complaints
We take complaints regarding privacy seriously and you are encouraged to express any privacy concerns you may have via the contact details outlined below. Complaints will be resolved in accordance with our feedback policy and procedure.
You can make a complaint and request a copy of our feedback policy & procedure by emailing: admin@soulmedicinevar.com.au
If you believe we have not satisfactorily resolved your complaint, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.
Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time and in accordance with our policy review schedule. Any updates to this policy will apply to all information collected thereafter.