Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Western Hearing Services respects your right to privacy.  We are committed to managing your personal information in a respectful way by adhering to the privacy principles contained within the Privacy Act 1998.

What Happens To Information About Me?

When you become a client of Western Hearing Services, a treatment record is made.  It contains identifying personal information about you including your name, address, contact details and information on your health/hearing problems and the treatment you are given.  Every time you attend or have contact with Western Hearing Services new information is added to your record.  We are required to keep your treatment record for seven years after your last attendance.  The record may then be destroyed, using secure means.

Why Is This Information Necessary?

It is necessary for us to collect and keep this information to ensure that each health care professional involved in your care has all the facts.  Your previous history of hearing problems and care can help us to quickly identify which treatments are likely to be effective for you and to reduce the likelihood of repeating tests that you may have had in the past.

This information may also be used in order to offer you access to support groups, for quality review, research and planning, which will help us provide better overall hearing care.  No information which can personally identify you will leave Western Hearing Services without your prior consent, except in circumstances described later.  Individuals who carry out research must follow strict guidelines and maintain the confidentially of the information they use.

How Is My Information Protected and Who At Western Hearing Services Has Access To It?

Patient information about you is stored securely at the practice.  Information about you is also stored on our computer systems.  This information (such as your name, address, date of birth, telephone number and hearing test results) allows all health care professionals involved with your care to access information more easily and quickly when it is needed.

Western Hearing maintains strict policies regarding access to your personal information.  All staff employed by Western Hearing Services are bound by a strict code of conduct with respect to maintaining the confidentiality of your information.  All Western Hearing Services employees have a duty to protect the privacy of your personal information at all times.

Disclosure Of Your Information

Western Hearing Services may disclose personal information to the referring professional such as your doctor or solicitor etc.

In some circumstances, we are required by law to collect and release information.  Information may also be provided to court or tribunal when subpoenaed.

Apart From Western Hearing Services Staff, Who Else Has Access To Information About Me?

We send a letter to your local and referring doctor after you attend Western Hearing Services.  This letter summarizes your visit to us.

Sometimes other referring professionals involved in your care will write or telephone Western Hearing Services for additional information about your treatment. This may include professional audiological bodies who we may contact with details of your case and treatment in cases where we are ensuring we have complied with the best audiological practices. In these situations we routinely release information, unless you have specifically requested us not to do so.

Who Might Contact Me After My Visit to Western Hearing Services?

Western Hearing Services staff may contact you to find out how you are getting on. This is part of providing quality hearing services.

Which Other People Receive Information About Me?

In some instances, Western Hearing Services is obliged by law to release personal information about you.  Examples include:

• The government Office of Hearing Services, if you are a pensioner.
• The Office of Health Review which is an independent body representing both the client and the provider if there is a dispute.
• Legal Bodies. Audiological results and case notes may be required as evidence in court if subpoenaed.
• The Health Insurance Commission may access information in relation to health insurance claims

These services have strict policies relating to access and use of information.

Who Do I Contact For More Information?

If you have questions regarding what happens to information about you please contact the Privacy Representative at our head office.

How Can I Gain Access to Information About Me?

The Privacy Act allows you to access and to correct any personal information that we hold about you.  Requests for access must be made in writing to the Privacy Representative at Western Hearing Services Head Office.  Depending on the request, we may charge a fee.

If you are concerned that our organization may have handled your personal information inappropriately, please contact our Privacy Representative.

What If I Am Unable To Give Consent?

If you are unable to sign the consent form as a client, then your next of kin (spouse/partner, nearest relative over the age of 18), guardian or person you have nominated to represent you will be asked to sign on your behalf.

How Can I Help Keep My Information Accurate?

You can assist Western Hearing Services to keep your personal information up to date by informing the practice when you change your address or telephone number or if you change your GP.

Our website privacy and security

As a general rule, we do not collect Personal Information* about you when you visit our site. You can generally visit our site without telling us who you are or revealing other Personal Information*, unless you choose to provide such information to us. The information we receive depends upon what you do when visiting our site. If you visit our site to read or download information, we record the following:

• Your server's address.
• The name of the top level domain from which you access the Internet (for example, .gov, .com, .edu, .org, .au, .nz etc).
• The type of browser you use.
• The date and time you access our site.
• The pages you have accessed and the documents downloaded.
• The previous Internet address from which you linked directly to our site.
• The Internet address to which you link directly from our site.