Your rights

What personal information do we collect and hold about patients?

We will collect your personal information directly from you where it is practical to do so. This could include your name, date of birth and contact details, and your medical history. We also collect information from third parties such as your GP and referring doctor, and your MyHealthRecord if you have one. The information we collect about you depends on the service you are receiving, if you are admitted or are an outpatient, or you are receiving health care services in the home. Some personal information is collected to provide you with our services, and some because we are required by law to do so.

How do we collect and handle your personal information, and for what purposes do we use and disclose it?

We will collect your personal information discreetly and store it securely. We will need to share your personal information with people involved in your care and managing your treatment. This may include units and departments within the San, other treating health services or hospitals, doctors or clinical staff, pathology labs, radiology and nuclear medicine services. We may also need to share your personal information with your carer(s), guardian(s), authorised representative(s) and/or medical treatment decision makers.

We will provide relevant personal information to your health fund, any third-party insurer, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Medicare Australia, Government Registries, Clinical Quality Registries, the NSW Cancer Institute, the National Cancer Registry, the Commonwealth Department of Health, NSW Department of Health or to other entities when we are required by law to do so.

Do we use your information for direct marketing or other purposes?

We may, with your consent, use the personal information, including health information, we have collected about you to contact you from time to time. This may be by phone, email or post. AHCL and/or our San Foundation may contact you to provide you with information regarding our programs, services, events, research forums, promotions and opportunities, or to ask you for your support, either by volunteering, philanthropic donations or otherwise. To help us improve our standards, we may also ask for your feedback on our services through surveys.

You can opt-out of receiving this communication at any time by contacting our Privacy Officer.

As a Christian organisation we are committed to holistic care, including your spiritual needs while you are receiving care. Chaplains and pastoral care workers are part of our care team and accredited community representatives regularly visit our hospitals. You may request a visit from a representative of your faith, and with your consent we may share your personal information for this purpose. Alternatively, you may request that no chaplain or visiting faith representative call on you while you are a patient in an AHCL hospital.

How can you access or correct your personal information?

We will take reasonable care to ensure the personal information collected about you is accurate and complete. You may request access to, or correction of, the personal information we hold about you, by contacting our Privacy Officer.

How can you make a complaint?

 

 

 

You can make a complaint in writing to our Privacy Officer. We will need to verify your identity, and we will respond to you within a reasonable period of time to acknowledge your complaint and inform you of the next steps we will take in dealing with your complaint.

You may contact the Privacy Commissioner if you are not satisfied that the Hospital has resolved your complaint.

Tell us of your safety concerns

• You should let staff know as soon as practicable if you think something has been missed in your care or that an error might have occurred
• You should explain any circumstances that may make your health care more risky or any other safety concerns that you may have

Respect the wellbeing and rights of others

• You should always respect the wellbeing and rights of other patients, visitors and staff by conducting yourself in an appropriate way – this includes respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others
• Patients and their visitors are requested to be respectful to all health care professionals who care for them – verbal and/or physical abuse will not be tolerated
• You should respect hospital property, policies, regulations and the property of other persons

Follow your treatment, co-operate and participate where able

• Where possible you should take an active role in your health care and participate as fully as you wish in the decisions about your care and treatment. We also encourage your family, other carers or chosen support person to be actively involved. With your consent, they can also receive information and be involved in making decisions with you about your care
• You should endeavour to follow your treatment, and inform your health provider when you are not complying with your treatment
• You should cooperate fully with the doctor and clinical team in all aspects of your treatment
• You must let staff know if there are changes to your condition or new symptoms
• You should keep appointments or let the health provider know when you are not able to attend

Provide information regarding your medical history and ask questions

• Be as open and honest with staff as you can, including giving comprehensive & accurate details of your medical history, past surgeries and all medications you may be taking
• Ask questions of staff if you would like more information about any aspect of your care

Be prepared for your discharge

• When you have been advised you can be discharged, we would like you to be ready and have arranged to be picked up by 10am. If you require any assistance, please speak to your nurse.

Inform us of Advance Care Directive / Power of Attorney / Guardianship orders

• Please inform your health professional if you have a current Advance Care Directive, Enduring Guardianship or Power of Attorney for any health or personal matters, or if you are by law, subject to a guardianship order.

Not take photos, video & audio recordings without consent

• To protect the privacy and rights of all individuals at AHCL, patients and their families are not to take photos, video or audio recordings of staff, doctors, volunteers, other patients or visitors without their consent while in our facilities. Please speak to a staff member or the manager of the area if you have any questions regarding this.

Pay fees

• You should promptly pay the fees of the hospital and your attending doctor.

Direct complaints / feedback to appropriate staff

• You should direct any complaint to a staff member or the manager of the area so that immediate and appropriate action can be taken to remedy your concern.