Privacy Policy

CURRENT AS OF 1 AUGUST 2024

Introduction

The purpose of this privacy policy is to inform you how your personal information and health information is collected and used within the practice. It also outlines the circumstances in which we may share this information with third parties.

Email and Other Applications

As unencrypted email is not a secure form of communication, we do not use it to transfer personal information or communicate with patients. You need to contact us by phone, fax, or mail. Our online bookings and SMS reminders are facilitated through HotDoc. If you subscribe to this service, it is necessary for HotDoc to access your personal details (such as your name, address, and contact number).

For more information on their privacy and security policy, please see their website –https://www.hotdoc.com.au/privacy-policy

Why and When Your Consent is Necessary

When you register as a patient of our practice, you provide consent for the GPs at our clinic and practice staff to access and use your personal information. This is so we can provide you with the best possible healthcare.

Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.

Why do We Collect, Use, Hold and Share Your Personal Information?

Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. Our primary purpose for collecting, using, holding, and sharing your personal information is to manage your health. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and accreditation, and business processes (e.g. staff training).

What Personal Information do We Collect?

The information we will collect about you includes your:

  • names, date of birth, addresses, contact details;

  • medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors;

  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes;

  • healthcare identifiers, and

  • health fund details.

Dealing With Us Anonymously

You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym. This is unless it is impracticable for us to do so, or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.

How do We Collect Your Personal Information?

Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways. When you make your first appointment, our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration. During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information. Information can also be collected through Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (eTP), MyHealth Record/PCEHR system, e.g. via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary. We may also collect your personal information when you:

  • visit our website;

  • send us an email or SMS;

  • telephone us;

  • make an online appointment, or

  • communicate with us using social media.

In some circumstances, personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:

  • your guardian or responsible person;

  • other involved healthcare providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services;

  • your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary).

Who do We Share Your Personal Information With?

We sometimes share your personal information:

  • With your local Primary Health Network, such as the North West Melbourne Primary Health Network, in the aim of planning and improving health services in the area – your identity IS NOT disclosed and you can opt out at any time by letting us know.

  • With third parties who work with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with the Australian Privacy Principles and this policy.

  • With other healthcare providers.

  • When it is required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas).

  • When it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent.

  • To assist in locating a missing person.

  • To establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim.

  • For the purpose of a confidential dispute resolution process.

  • When there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification).

  • During the course of providing medical services, through Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (eTP), MyHealth Record/PCEHR system (e.g. via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary).

Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing medical services or as otherwise described in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.

We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.

Our practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.

How do We Store and Protect Your Personal Information?

Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms, for example, electronic records, medical imaging, medical photography and scanned paper records.

Our practice stores all personal information securely. We have the latest in IT technology. There are strict confidentiality rules for all the staff and contractors.

How can You Access and Correct Your Personal Information at Our Practice?

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing and our practice will respond within a reasonable time. We will respond within 30 days and may levy a charge for administrative fees.

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 the practice manager.

How can You Lodge a Privacy-Related Complaint, and How Will the Complaint be Handled at Our Practice?

We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure.

Please address concerns to: Practice Manager, Juno Specialists, Suite 2, Level 2, 678 Victoria Street, Richmond, VIC 3121.

The practice manager will endeavour to respond within 30 days.

You may also contact the OAIC. Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.

Policy Review Statement

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it is in accordance with any legislative changes and best practice. We will publish it here on our website: www.junospecialists.au.


Our Clinic

Juno Specialists has been designed specifically with you in mind. We’ve created a clinic space that fits around the needs of families. We’ve done this intentionally to overcome the standard practice of asking women, mothers and infants to fit around medical settings that are not designed with their unique needs and comfort in mind.

Our clinic is a calming and peaceful environment. A sacred space for you to feel completely supported. Our clinic has been designed to lower sensory overwhelm and limit medicalisation as much as possible. There is everything you could need to care for your baby (if required) in comfort. The clinic is fully accessible with a pram.


Who is Juno

According to ancient mythology, Juno is both powerful and empowering. Juno is a champion of women. A symbol of female strength. She stands for the wellbeing of women through all ages and stages, including pregnancy, birth and mothering.

Juno shines light on both the value and complexity of women's experiences. She illuminates the tenderness and the challenges of birthing and raising children. She honours the sacred domain of the home. Juno stands counter to our current cultural story - which often invisibilises the depth, importance and weight of this work.

At Juno Specialists we use our refined knowledge, skills and tools to continue this work. To champion and empower women. To advocate and educate and assist. To build both individual and collective strength. To foster wellbeing in women. It is our intention to always step towards strengthening and restoring power to every person that enters our clinic.


Our Founder

Dr Nicole Gale has been growing the idea for Juno Specialists for a decade. At that time, she recognised the need for greater multidisciplinary cohesion, proper specialisation and stronger sense of community. A hub that could act as a genuine point of call for support.

Dr Nicole Gale has witnessed the multi-layered and important benefits that come when we intentionally hold women and families into thriving. And that is the exact reason Juno Specialists exists.