Privacy Statement

Calvary Health Care Adelaide is committed to conducting its health care services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and in accordance with the highest ethical standards.
Calvary Health Care Adelaide complies with the Commonwealth Privacy Act and all other state/territory legislative requirements in relation to the management of personal information. We believe that our patients can feel safe in the knowledge that we safeguard their personal health information ensuring that confidentiality is respected and information is stored securely.
In order to provide you with the health care services that you have requested when you become a patient with us, we need to collect and use your personal health information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us or withhold personal health information from us we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking.

What information do we collect?

We collect information that is necessary for the provision of your health care. Often this may include collecting information about your health history, family history, your ethnic background or your current lifestyle to assist the health care team in diagnosing and treating your condition.Our staff will always endeavour to be sensitive to your needs when obtaining personal health information. However, they are also committed to acting in your best interests by making a thorough assessment of your condition and medical history before recommending treatment.

How do we use your information?

Modern health care practices mean that your treatment will be provided by a team of health professionals working together. You may be referred for diagnostic tests such as pathology or radiology and our staff may consult with senior medical experts when determining your diagnosis or treatment. These health professionals will share your health information as part of the process of providing your treatment. Of course, we will only do this while maintaining confidentiality of all this information. Information will only be disclosed to those health care workers involved in your treatment. This will include such activities as providing a discharge summary to your referring medical practitioner or nominated general practitioner.
If you do not wish us to provide a copy of your discharge summary to your nominated general practitioner you must let us know.
However, if in the future you are being treated by a medical practitioner who needs to have access to the health record of your treatment in our hospital we will require an authorisation from you to provide a copy of your record. The only time we would provide information about your health records to another medical practitioner without your consent is in the event of an emergency where your life is at risk and you are not able to provide consent.

In order to provide the best possible environment in which to treat you, we shall also use your information where necessary for the management of our hospital or health service, to liaise with your health fund, and Medicare as necessary, and for activities such as quality assurance processes, accreditation, audits, risk and claims management and education of health care workers.
We may share your health information between Calvary Healthcare Adelaide Facilities to coordinate your care and to minimise bad debts.
Where we outsource any of our services or hire contractors to perform services within our hospital or health service we require them to also comply with the Commonwealth Privacy Act
and our Privacy Policy.
With your consent we can also use your information for other purposes such as including you on a marketing mail list. You can provide your additional consent to this use of your information on the consent form you complete when you enter one of our facilities .

Access to your health information

You have a right to have access to the health information that we hold in your health record.
You can also request an amendment to your health record should you believe that it contains inaccurate information.
Should you wish to obtain access to your health record you can ask for our Privacy Officer who can give you more detailed information about how to obtain access to your health record.

If you have a complaint about privacy issues

If you have a complaint about our information handling practices or feel that the privacy of your health information has been interfered with, you can lodge a complaint with our Privacy Officer or directly with the Commonwealth Privacy Commissioner.
Our Privacy Officer is happy to discuss any complaint you may have about the management of your health information or to answer any questions you have about our health information management practices and our Privacy Policy.
All complaints will be dealt with fairly and as quickly as possible.

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