Privacy Statement

Alliance Anaesthetics is committed to providing quality medical services to you, and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (the Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, birth dates, addresses, health fund and Medicare details, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers, and names and dates of medical procedures performed on you requiring our direct involvement.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including hospital admission and affiliated surgeon’s records, correspondence with you, by telephone, facsimile and email, and via our website www.allianceanaesthetics.com.au and from third parties. We do not guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We may also receive direct correspondence from other medical practitioners for the purpose of providing appropriate medical services to you.

We do not collect or retain any more detailed personal medical records than this.

Personal Information is collected for the primary purpose of providing our medical services to you, and after, for financial dealings with you, your insurer, and Medicare. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, banking and credit card details, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only.

For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
With your consent, or where required or authorised by law.

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you, your admitting hospital and surgeon whose care you are under. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties, such as your own GP or your insurer. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in certain circumstances that include:

Dealings with Medicare and your health fund or other insurer
Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
Where required or authorised by law.

Our Website

The website www.allianceanaesthetics.com.au provides access for payment of accounts for anaesthetic services rendered. This payment portal provides industry standard secure access and is not operated or controlled by Alliance Anaesthetics. As such Alliance Anaesthetics does not collect or retain any credit card details.

The service is provided by “MediTrust”, a Melbourne based medical practice software provider who complies with the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles (Privacy (meditrust.com.au).

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored for us by “MediTrust”, in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information.

However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years, or as required by law.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

Alliance Anaesthetics will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up to date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at:

St George Private Hospital

Suite 13, Level 3

1 South St

Kogarah NSW 2217

(02) 9553 9802