How Inclusive Healthcare Australia collects, uses, discloses and protects personal and health information.
Review note: This policy has been drafted to reflect general practice for an Australian healthcare and NDIS provider handling personal and sensitive health information. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer. IHA should have this policy reviewed by a qualified professional before relying on it as a final, legally binding document.
IHA collects personal information reasonably necessary to provide clinical services, including names, contact details, and information relating to a participant's NDIS plan, support arrangements, and referral source.
As a healthcare provider, IHA collects sensitive and health information, including clinical history, care plans, diagnoses, treatment information, and disability-related health needs. This information is collected only where necessary to assess, plan, and deliver safe clinical care, and is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and applicable state health records legislation.
When a participant, family member, support coordinator, allied health professional, or NDIS provider submits a referral, IHA collects the information provided in that referral, including participant details, clinical information, and funding information, for the purpose of assessing and responding to the referral.
IHA uses personal and health information to assess referrals, provide clinical assessment and care, communicate with participants, families, support coordinators, providers, and treating teams, maintain clinical documentation and records, and meet NDIS, WorkSafe Victoria, TAC, and other regulatory obligations.
IHA may share relevant information with a participant's existing disability support provider, support coordinator, allied health professionals, and treating practitioners, where necessary for safe and coordinated care. IHA may also disclose information where required by law, or to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in relation to a complaint or regulatory matter. IHA does not sell personal information.
Where practicable, IHA seeks consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal and health information, particularly sensitive health information. Consent may be provided by the participant, or by an authorised representative where the participant is unable to provide consent directly.
IHA takes reasonable steps to protect personal and health information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, including secure storage of clinical records and restricted access to information on a need-to-know basis.
Participants and their authorised representatives may request access to, or correction of, personal and health information IHA holds about them, by contacting IHA directly. IHA will respond to such requests in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Information submitted through IHA's website referral and contact forms is used only for the purpose of responding to that enquiry or referral, and is handled in accordance with this policy.
If you have concerns about how IHA has handled personal or health information, you can contact IHA directly using the details below. You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), or the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission where relevant.
For privacy-related questions or requests, contact Inclusive Healthcare Australia by phone on 0451 379 573 or by email at info@inclusivehealthcareaustralia.com.au.