Privacy Policy

What information about me is collected?

To help us care for you when you come to hospital, we need to know:

• Your name                                    
• Address
• Date of birth
• Contact details (mobile & email)
• Emergency contact details
• The reason for your admission
• Your GP (general practitioner) contact details
• Past medical history
• Your Medicare number or other health care identifier
• Any other health information that may be important
• Other optional demographics

Why do we collect it?

Your medical record is the means of communication for many health professionals at our hospital who contribute to your care. We ask you for information so that you can receive good care and treatment. It is necessary for us to collect and keep this information to ensure that each health care professional involved in your care has access to your health information. We aim to keep your information accurate and up-to-date at all times to make sure the best possible care and service can be provided.

What are we using it for?

Your information is used by those involved in your care and treatment. It may also be used to keep in contact with you, help educate staff, plan for the future and to evaluate our services. Whenever possible information that identifies you is removed before it is used for teaching purposes or for evaluating our services. Your information may also be used for research. Individuals who carry out research must follow strict guidelines, which includes gaining your consent to be part of the research, and the individual must maintain confidentiality of all the information they access

How is your information protected?

Information about you is stored in a central paper and electronic medical record. We keep personal and heath information secure from unauthorised access, use or loss. We have strict policies on who can access and receive your personal information and all staff are bound by a formal code of conduct about the confidentiality of your information. We maintain strict policies regarding who has the authority to access your personal information and we educate and monitor staff to ensure information is handled confidentially and with respect and care.

Who else can access your information?

We may share your information outside the hospital so you can get the care and help you need. For example, we may provide information about you to:

• Other health services, hospitals or specialists involved in your care (e.g. your GP)
• Government departments, if you are receiving health care services through an arrangement with that department (e.g. Defence or Department of Veterans Affairs) or local health districts responsible for health, aged care and disability to help them provide health services to you
• Other organisations who have a contract with South Pacific Private to provide certain services, such as help in accreditation, audit or survey processes
• Private health insurance companies and Medicare Australia
• Anyone you give permission to receive your information, including relatives, close friends and carers
• Anyone to whom we are required by law to disclose your personal information to, and
  The My Health Record (unless you have opted out)

We may also use your information:

• To contact you for feedback about your experience, so we can continue to improve the quality and safety of our service
• For billing and debt recovery

Sometimes, we have to share information about you without your consent. By law, we could give your information to:

• Child protection agencies if there are concerns about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or young person
• The police if we learn about a serious crime, including assault, domestic violence or abuse
• Government agencies for statutory reporting purposes, such as to report a notifiable disease e.g. hepatitis – governments use this information to warn the community about the spread of infection and disease
• The court if ordered by subpoena

If we have to share information under these conditions, we will only share the information that is needed.

How can you access your information?

You have the right to see your information and any other personal information South Pacific Private holds about you. Please see the SPP Privacy Policy below.

Questions and Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about your medical record, how your information is stored and shared, or a complaint about the privacy of your information, please contact the Privacy Officer through our main switchboard on 02 9905 3667 or email [email protected]

Read our privacy policies

Please find our Privacy Policy here for further reference.

We reserve our right to modify or amend this Privacy Policy at any time and without notice to you. For further information about privacy, please refer to the Australian Privacy Commissioner’s website. We appreciate you taking the time to read the South Pacific Private Privacy Policy. 

Privacy Policy last updated on 25 March 2024.

We have implemented this privacy policy in order to let you know about how we will collect, store, use and disclose your personal information.