Privacy guidelines for health service providers

The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has issued new privacy guidance materials for medical practitioners and other health service provider and the public, following an extensive consultation process.

They offer health care professionals and members of the public greater clarity about whether particular practices are permitted under the Privacy Action.

The guidance materials consist of five information sheets for healthcare in the Australian private sector, and seven FAQs (frequently asked questions) for members of the public.

The information sheets address the following: fees for patients to access their records; use and disclosure of health information for managing a health service; sharing health information within a treating team; sharing health information with relatives of an incapacitated patient and denial of access to health information due to serious threat to life or health.

For more information visit http://www.privacy.gov.au/publications/index.html#I