PRIVACY POLICY

All personal information gathered during the provision of psychological services will remain confidential and secure except when:

·   Required or authorised by law (e.g., court subpoena)

·   Failure to disclose information would place you or another person at risk of harm

·   With your prior approval, or that of a parent/guardian legally authorised to act on your behalf, to provide a written report to another professional or agency, or to discuss information with another person (e.g., parent or employer)

·   You would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency, and disclosure is directly related to the primary purpose for which it was collected (e.g., informing your GP of treatment and progress, claiming Medicare rebates)

·   Clinical consultation with another professional is required to provide better services (identifying details will remain confidential)

·   If, during your treatment, I become aware of a risk to someone’s life, health, or well-being, I am required to report the matter to the appropriate agencies

As part of being able to provide a psychological service, personal information will be collected and recorded that is relevant to your current situation. 

The information gathered is confidential and secure except where:

· It is subpoenaed by a court, or

· If yourself or someone else is at risk of harm

· If prior approval has been given by yourself to provide a written report to another professional or agency, such as a lawyer, medical practitioner or to discuss information with another person such as a caregiver, parent or employee.

At any stage you are entitled to access the information about you kept on file, unless the relevant legislation provides otherwise, at which stage the appropriate forms for access will be discussed with you.

As part of your Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) it is required that a brief letter will be written to the referrer (normally your treating GP) after the first session and a progress letter at the end of the sixth (6th) session.  

The Session 6 letter updates your GP on your progress and allows them to authorise the remaining four sessions covered under the plan.  

A completion letter is then sent following the final session.    

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. 

Requests
Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. 

We require you to put this request in writing with a "Personal Information Request" which can be submitted to us via contact@agencypsychology.com.au  Our practice will respond within a 5 business days. 

Fees may be applicable for the cost of complying with the request but not for making the request. 

Please enquire regarding fees at our reception.
Corrections

Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to  contact@agencypsychology.com.au