Privacy policy

Please note that the email addresses are not monitored 24/7.
If you want to book an appointment, please either call the practice or book online.

Strictly no clinical information or results, or clinical advice will be given over email.

The Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles require our practice to have a document that clearly sets out its policies on handling personal information, including health information.
This document, called a Privacy Policy, outlines how we handle personal information collected (including health information) and how we protect this information.
Our practice has used the privacy policy template available from the RACGP and this has been adapted to reflect how our practice collects and uses personal information.
Our privacy policy is displayed in the waiting room and also on the practice information sheet and practice website and is readily presented to anyone who asks.

Our collection of information statement informs patients about how their personal health information will be used, including by other organisations to which the practice usually discloses patient information to, and any law that requires the particular information to be collected. Patient consent to the handling and sharing of personal patient health information is sought and documented early in the process of clinical care, and patients are made aware of the collection statement when giving consent to share health information.

According to the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, an organisation may use or disclose personal health information for a purpose (the secondary purpose) which is directly related to the primary purpose of collection without seeking consent, but only if the individual would have a reasonable expectation that the information could be used or disclosed for that secondary purpose.

A directly related secondary purpose for the use and disclosure of personal health information in our practice includes the many activities necessary for the provision of a health service, such as management, funding and monitoring, as well as complaint-handling, planning, evaluation and accreditation activities.

It is essential to recognise the importance of ‘reasonable expectation’ as many individuals may be unaware of the range of activities for which their personal health information may be used and disclosed, such as the accreditation processes. Our practice ensures we tell patients how, and for what purpose, personal health information collected about them could be used or disclosed. Patients are advised of this ‘secondary purpose’ in a number of ways, including:
⦁ At the time of the consultation with a general practitioner
⦁ Via the practice privacy statement in the practice information sheet
⦁ Via the practice privacy statement on signage on the walls of the practice, and/or
⦁ By reading, understanding and signing a new patient information form when first registering at the practice, which incorporates the practice privacy statement.

It is important we maintain a patient’s right to ‘opt out’ of the secondary purpose through refusal to consent. If an individual expresses negative views or opposition when made aware of a proposed secondary use or disclosure of their personal health information, this would indicate that they have a reasonable expectation that their personal health information will not be used or disclosed in that manner, and their non-consent is recorded on file.

Management of Personal Health Information

The practice has strict guidelines on confidentiality, patient consent, consent for a 3rd party to obtain information, transferring of health information and access and security of personal health information.
It adheres to the The National Privacy Principles Act and the Health Records and Information Act.

Communication Policy

There are multiple ways in which the practice communicates with patients and third parties. Communication can occur through the following channels:

Face to face

This can be via consultation with your doctor or nurse or interactions with other staff members. i.e.: Practice Manager or reception staff.

Telephone

Patients are able to contact the practice via telephone between the hours of Monday 8.30am-4pm, Tuesday 8.30am-4pm, Wednesday 8.30am-4pm, Thursday 8.30am-4pm, Friday 8.30am-4pm

As the first point of contact, receptionists must review the triage support guide to ensure they are correctly assessing patient’s needs and concerns. Receptionists will often need to ask questions to determine that the patient receives the most appropriate care, at the most appropriate time.

Phone calls from patients requesting to speak to the doctor will not generally be put through at the time of the call. This is to minimise disruption to the doctor as they are usually in consultation with another patient and respectfully not wanting to interrupt their consultation. Doctors may take phone calls if time permits.

Reception staff will ask the patient to briefly explain the reason for the call and will determine if the doctor should be interrupted or if a message can be given to the doctor to return the call at a later time. This may be throughout the day or after the doctor has finished consulting for the day. Where clinically significant information is discussed, a note will be made in the patient’s file.

Fax

Faxes received that are patient related are imported directly into the Doctor’s inbox which is then put into the patient’s file. These are then reviewed and actioned by the doctor. Any urgent patient related faxes are immediately handed to the doctor or if that doctor is not available another doctor in the practice will review the fax. All non-patient related faxes are given to the relevant staff member.

All outgoing faxes will be sent to the relevant place on request from the doctor and then saved into the patients file with a note detailing where it was sent and by whom.

Email

Email is not a secure form of communication and we do not use this to communicate personal information to patients without their consent. Whilst we make every effort to keep your information secure it is important for patients to be aware of the risks associated with electronic communication, in that the information could potentially be compromised and accessed by someone other than the intended recipient. Patients must be aware that any communication they direct to the surgery via email is also NOT secure and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Patients communicating through email do so at their own risk.

If you do choose to contact the surgery via email this will be considered as patient consent to reply via email.

We endeavour to reply to all emails within 1 business day. Our emails are checked on a regular basis, however they are not constantly monitored. If you have an issue that requires urgent attention, we request that you contact the practice via telephone.

SMS

SMS messages are sent for a variety of health management purposes.

These may include:
– Appointment reminders – a reminder message will be sent the day prior to your appointment.
– Health reminders (e.g., cervical screening/care plans/Immunisations etc)

We need to ensure that your mobile number is up to date at each visit to ensure that this information is sent to the correct number. Patients must be aware that if another person can access their mobile phone, then the confidentiality of these communications cannot be protected by the practice.

Post

Letters are often sent offering services available to eligible patients and for health reminders and recalls for patients who do not have a mobile number or who have opted out of our electronic messaging system.
Incoming mail is collected and opened each day. Letters received that are patient related are directly imported to the doctor’s inbox which is then saved to the patient’s file. These are then reviewed and actioned by the doctor. All remaining letters are provided to the addressee.

Website

The practice’s website is updated regularly with new information. You can also locate our opening hours, history of the practice, information regarding our fees and services, book appointments online, view our doctors’ profiles and see our contact information.

Facebook

Our Facebook page updates practice information and health promotions.

This page however, is intended for announcements only by Lancelin Medical Centre and not for the provision of individual medical advice. This page is not regularly monitored for comments. If you have any queries or questions, we ask that you please contact the practice via telephone.

Walk-In Services

Lancelin Medical Centre does offer a walk-in service with some exceptions. The wait time for walk-ins varies and depends on how on time the Doctors are running. Please note we will refuse walk-ins if the Doctors are running late and do not have the capacity to fit in walk-In patients. We also charge a $25 out of pocket fees for walk ins. Same day appointments are available within our opening hours. To book an appointment you can call the surgery, or you can come in and enquire when the next appointment is available. You can book appointments online via our websites or via Health Engine.

Home Visits and Out of Hours Services

Our doctors can provide home visits, enquiries can be made by talking to one of our friendly receptionists however, the provision of these visits are at the discretion of the treating doctor. If for any reason our doctor is unable to come and see you and you can’t come in to the practice, please contact Dial-A-Doctor (Bulk-Billed Locum Service) on PH: 1300 030 030

URGENT RESULTS

Your doctor or the practice nurse will attempt to contact you immediately via the contact details supplied. If our attempts at contact are unsuccessful, a letter will be forwarded to your address to contact us urgently for an appointment.

NON-URGENT RESULTS

Our nurse will contact you via phone to advise that you need to make a non-urgent appointment to see your doctor. If our attempts to contact you are unsuccessful, a letter will be forwarded to your address to contact us for a non-urgent appointment.

If your results are NORMAL we will NOT contact you. You are welcome to phone us to check if your results have been returned to us, but you will have to make an appointment to discuss these results. At no time are results provided to you over the phone due to confidentiality laws.

Patients are contacted for recalls and reminders. If our attempts at contact are unsuccessful a letter will be forwarded to your address to contact us for an appointment.

Confidential information is not included in these letters. All personal information is stored on a program specific, encrypted computer data base.

CONTINUOUS EDUCATION

The practice is committed to supporting the doctors, nurses and administration staff to participate in on-going education.

DID NOT ATTEND (DNA) AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Due to the high demand for bulk billing appointments and the high number of non-attendances and cancellations for GP appointments, we will charge a fee of $40 per single consultation or for double consult a fee of $80 for any appointment that is not attended or not cancelled within 4 hours of the appointment time.

If this account is not paid, a letter of suspension of services and the outstanding account will be issued. This letter will see your access to all services suspended until accounts are paid. There may also be the possibility of permanent suspension from the practice at the doctor’s discretion for repeat offenders.

We have many wasted appointments every day and by introducing this policy we hope patients will consider cancelling their appointments so that others may access them if required.

If you have any concerns, please speak with our reception staff.

APPOINTMENTS

Please phone us on for an appointment.
If you need more time with the doctor, please tell the receptionist when you make your booking. Urgent medical problems will always be dealt with promptly.

TELEPHONE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

Electronic Communication is available via email at lancelinmedical@bigpond.com All personal emails are stored on a program specific encrypted computer data base system.

For after-hours medical attention, please contact the following or alternatively seek the nearest Hospital Emergency Department:
Silver Chain (08) 9655 1033

Joondalup Health Service – Phone (08) 9400 9400

PATIENT FEEDBACK

Your feedback is important to us and patient feedback forms are available at reception. Alternatively forward your comments
Email: lancelinmedical@bigpond.com

If for any reason you are not satisfied with the service you have received and do not wish to discuss this with us, the following information is for the state health complaint agency:

The HEALTH AND DISABILITY SERVICES COMPLAINTS OFFICE (HaDSCO)

GPO Box B61
Perth WA 6838
Phone: (08) 9323 0600
Fax: (08) 9221 3675
Country Free Call: 1800 813 583