Privacy Policy- the seeing brain

1. Purpose

the seeing brain is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. This Privacy Policy describes how The Seeing Brain collects, uses, stores, and shares your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), as well as any applicable Queensland privacy laws.

2. What Information We Collect

As part of your care, we collect information that helps us provide accurate orthoptic assessment and treatment. This may include:

Your name, date of birth, contact details
Vision and eye health history
Results of orthoptic, ophthalmic tests and assessments
Medical history relevant to your eye condition
Medicare and health fund details
Referrals from and to other healthcare professionals
Emergency contact information

3. Why We Collect Your Information

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including interviews, correspondence, referrals, by telephone, by email, via our website www.theseeingbrain.com.au, cookies and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties. We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you including the following:

Provide accurate orthoptic care and intervention
Communicate with other health professionals in your care
Manage clinical records, bookings, and billing
Meet regulatory and reporting obligations
Participate in quality improvement and training (with de-identified data)

4. 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, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, 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.

5. Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. 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.

6. Use and Disclosure

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

To provide and coordinate your care
When referring you to another healthcare provider
For Medicare or private health insurance claims
As required by law (e.g. public health reporting)
With your explicit consent, or in situations permitted without consent

7. Storage and Security

Your Personal Information is stored 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.

We take data security seriously. Your information is stored securely through:

Password-protected electronic practice management software
Locked filing cabinets (for paper files, if applicable)
Regular data backups and software updates

8. Requests, Access and Correction or Questions

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.

You can request access to your personal or health information at any time. You may also request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information. If you are concerned about how your information has been handled, please contact us. We will respond promptly.

Requests can be made in writing to the address below.

info@theseeingbrain.com.au

Please address for the attention of the practice manager.

If you are not satisfied, you may contact the OAIC:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Phone: 1300 363 992
Website: www.oaic.gov.au