Privacy Policy

The below information describes the privacy policy of Unique Mind Psychology Practice for the management of clients’ personal information. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

 

Client information

Client files are stored in ‘Halaxy’ (a highly secure online platform, widely used by Health professionals), which is accessible only to authorised employees. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service.

 

How clients' personal information is collected

A client's personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation with Unique Mind Psychology Practice, including when the client provides information directly to Kaylah De Silva using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Kaylah De Silva (Clinical Psychologist) and Unique Mind Psychology Practice via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

 

Consequence of not providing personal information

If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Kaylah De Silva (Clinical Psychologist) and Unique Mind Psychology Practice may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client. In majority of cases, it will not be possible for clients to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym for the effective delivery of psychological treatment.

 

Purpose of holding personal information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service. Such information is retained for the time period specified in the Australian Psychological Society (APS) code of ethics, unless legal or organisational requirements specify otherwise.

 

Disclosure of personal information

Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:

1. It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or

2. Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Kaylah De Silva (Clinical Psychologist) place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

3. The client’s prior approval has been obtained to:

   1. Provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or

   2. Discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third party funder; or

   3. Disclose the information in another way (i.e., third-party communication, Medicare/Private Health Insurance).

 

A client's personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Clients' personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose. In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Kaylah De Silva (Clinical Psychologist) and Unique Mind Psychology Practice will activate its data breach plan, which outlines the procedures endorsed by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) within the data breach action plan for health service providers. Unique Mind Psychology Practice will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm to the affected client/s. This will involve notifying the OAIC of all eligible data breaches as soon as practical using the Notifiable Data Breach Form (as per OAIC guidelines: https://forms.business.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=OAIC-NDB&tmFormVersion).

 

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. The psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with Kaylah De Silva. These requests will be responded to in writing within 30 days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.

 

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Kaylah De Silva, as the Director of Unique Mind Psychology Practice. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online via  http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint  or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.