Understanding how Speechling protects your privacy

In order to provide you with the health care services that you have requested, Speechling will need to collect and use your personal information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us or withhold personal and health information from us we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking. 

We will only collect the information we need for the particular function or activity we are carrying out. 

We collect information from you that is necessary to provide you with speech pathology services and to manage our relationship with you. The information we collect includes: your name, date of birth, address, health fund details and information about your health history and family history. We require this information to assist the speech pathologist to diagnose and treat you. 

We will usually collect your health information directly from you or through our practice management software - Halaxy. Sometimes, we may need to collect information about you from a third party (such as a relative or another health service provider).

Speechling uses your personal information for the purpose you have given the information to us. We will use your information to provide speech pathology services to you, to manage our relationship with you and to contact you in relation to matters concerning your care. We may also use your information for other purposes permitted under the Privacy Act 1988.

Who might we disclose your information to?

We may disclose your information to the following people:

(a) disclosure to other health professionals involved in your treatment

Your personal information will generally only be used by the speech pathologist involved in your care, however on occasion your care may be provided by a number of health professionals (for example., speech pathologist, occupational therapist and/or psychologist) working or consulting together. We may disclose your information to these health professionals as part of the process of providing your care and to other health professionals involved in your care.

(b) the referrer

Speechling will usually send a discharge summary to the referrer (i.e., your medical practitioner) following discharge from Speechling or at other times, as required for your care.

If you do not wish us to provide a copy of your discharge summary to the referrer you must let us know. Also, if the referrer’s details have changed please let us know.

(c) Relatives, guardian, close friends or legal representative

We may provide information about your condition to your parent, child, other relatives, close personal friends, guardians, or to a responsible person for you, unless you tell us that you do not wish us to disclose your health information to any such person.

(d) Other uses and disclosures

In order to provide the best possible environment in which to treat you, we may also use or disclose your personal and health information where necessary for:

• activities such as quality assurance processes, accreditation, audits, risk and claims management, patient satisfaction surveys and staff education and training;

• invoicing, billing and account management;

• to liaise with your health fund, Medicare or the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and where required provide information to your health fund, Medicare or the NDIA to verify treatment provided to you;

• the purpose of sending you standard reminders, for example for appointments and follow-up care, by text message or email to the number or address which you have provided to us.

(f) Other uses with your consent

With your consent we may also use your information for other purposes such as including you on a marketing mail list, or research. Please note, however, that unless you provide us with your express consent for this purpose, we will not use your information in this way. We will not disclose your personal information to any individual who is outside Australia.

You have a right to access the personal and health information that we hold about you. You can also request an amendment to your personal and health information should you believe that it is inaccurate.

If we do not agree to change your medical record/personal information in accordance with your request, we will permit you to make a statement of the requested changes and we will enclose this with your record.

Should you wish to obtain access to or request changes to your health record you can ask for our Speech Pathologist who can give you more detailed information about Speechling's access and correction procedure.

Please note that Speechling may recover reasonable costs associated with supplying this information to you.

Speechling will take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information which we may collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date.

Speechling will take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. We use technologies and processes such as access control procedures, network firewalls, encryption and physical security to protect your privacy.

Speechling will destroy or permanently de-identify any of your information which is in its possession or control and which is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was collected provided to Speechling or is not required under an Australian law or court/tribunal or otherwise to retain the information.

If:

a. you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy;

b. Speechling does not agree to provide you with access to your personal information; or

c. you have or a complaint about our information handling practices,

You can lodge a complaint with or contact our Speech Pathologist on the details below. We will promptly review your complaint and provide a response to you.

By letter: Amelia Fox, Speechling, Level 15, 60 Station St., Parramatta NSW 2150

By email: info@speechling.com.au

By telephone: 0406 403 801