Privacy Policy
The Hand OT is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information responsibly, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant health records legislation in Western Australia.
1. Information We Collect
● Personal details: name, date of birth, contact details, emergency contact.
● Health information: medical history, referral details, assessment findings, treatment notes, progress records, and relevant correspondence with other treating practitioners.
● Billing information: Medicare number, private health fund details, WorkCover claim details, and payment records (we do not store full credit card details).
2. How We Collect Information
● Directly from you, via intake forms, in consultation, or through booking and correspondence.
● From referring practitioners (e.g. your GP or surgeon), with your consent.
● From Medicare, your private health fund, or WorkCover WA, where relevant to processing claims or rebates.
3. Why We Collect and Use It
● To provide safe, appropriate, and effective clinical assessment and treatment.
● To communicate with your referring practitioner or other members of your care team, where relevant and with your consent.
● To process billing, Medicare rebates, private health fund claims, and WorkCover WA claims.
● To meet our legal, professional, and regulatory obligations (e.g. Ahpra record-keeping requirements).
4. Storage & Security
Your records are stored securely, whether in physical or electronic form, with access restricted to authorised staff involved in your care. Electronic records are protected by password protection, two factor authentication and encrypted practice management software. Health records are retained for the period required under WA health records legislation (generally a minimum of 7 years from the last consultation, or until a minor turns 25, whichever is longer).
5. Disclosure to Third Parties
We do not share your personal or health information with third parties without your consent, except where:
● Required to process a Medicare, private health fund, or WorkCover WA claim.
● Required by law (e.g. a court order or mandatory reporting obligation).
● Necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health, safety, or that of another person.
● You have specifically authorised disclosure (e.g. to a family member or another treating practitioner).
6. Access & Correction
You have the right to request access to your health records and to request correction of any information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. Requests can be made in writing to the practice; we will respond within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
7. Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us directly in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.
8. Changes to This Policy
This privacy policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The most current version will be available on our website and/or provided on request.
Contact
The Hand OT — Level 2, 15 South Street, Kardinya WA 6163 (inside FAST Urgent Care)
thehandOT@outlook.com