Sea Change Health Professionals Pty Ltd is fully committed to safeguarding the privacy of individuals’ personal information. We adhere to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring that personal information is handled transparently and in compliance with legal requirements.
Our comprehensive policies and procedures ensure that personal information is managed securely and confidentially. We collect personal information, including name, address, contact details, date of birth, gender, emergency contacts, health information, and diversity status, solely for the purpose of providing care and services.
We collect personal information directly from participants, their family members or significant others, advocates, and healthcare professionals. In certain cases, we may obtain information from a third party if authorised by law or with the individual’s consent. However, withdrawing consent may affect our ability to provide services effectively.
The primary purpose of collecting personal information is to deliver support services and facilitate care by collaborating with service providers and medical practitioners. We may disclose personal and health information to entities involved in care provision, such as service providers, medical practitioners, relevant government organisations, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Additionally, we can share information with nominated advocates or individuals designated for emergency contact purposes, provided they are at least 18 years old.
We do not use or disclose personal information for any purpose other than delivering care and services, unless consent is given, it is reasonably expected for care provision, or if there is an imminent threat to an individual’s life, health, or safety. We do not disclose personal information to overseas recipients.
To ensure the security of personal information, we employ reasonable measures to prevent unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Information is stored securely in both physical and electronic formats, accessible only to authorised staff through secure databases and cloud-based technology.
Under the Privacy Act, individuals have the right to access their personal information held by us. Requests for access or changes to personal information can be made, and we aim to provide access within seven (7) days, requiring proof of identity.
Employee information is managed according to workplace laws, with privacy laws applicable if personal information is used for purposes unrelated to the employment relationship. Similarly, personal information collected from volunteers is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.
In the event of a privacy data breach, we have established a Data Breach Policy and Procedure to promptly address and mitigate any unauthorised access or disclosure of personal information.
Privacy complaints are taken seriously, handled confidentially, and addressed promptly through our complaint handling process. Complainers will be informed of the investigation’s outcome, with the resolution not affecting existing obligations or commercial arrangements.
At Sea Change Health Professionals Pty Ltd, we prioritise the protection and privacy of personal information, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations while delivering quality care and services.