Privacy Policy

Introduction

Strive Anaesthesia is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals whose personal information we collect and manage, in full compliance with applicable privacy laws. Whilst much of this personal information relates to our patients, this also includes staff, our anaesthetists and our service providers.

This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information, in strict accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as amended by the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024.

This policy also explains the reasons why we collect personal information and the circumstances under which it may be disclosed to third parties. It also outlines what to do if you feel that your information has been mishandled. By taking a thorough and transparent approach, we endeavour to foster trust and confidence with everyone connected to our Practice with regards to how their information is handled.

Why and When Your Consent Is Necessary

In most cases, personal information about patients is provided to us by their surgeon’s rooms when anaesthetic services are scheduled. This information is securely entered into our software system. In some instances, patients may also provide us with their details directly via our website, by e-mail or over the phone.

By being referred to one of our anaesthetists or engaging with our practice, you, the patient, are deemed to have provided implied consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as necessary to deliver anaesthetic services. This includes, but is not limited to:

Coordinating your care
Communicating with your surgeon and other healthcare providers
Managing billing and administrative processes (including Medicare and your health fund)
Monitoring the quality of the services of our anaesthetists and our practice staff

Only authorised staff involved in your care or in the operation of our practice will have access to your information. We take reasonable steps to ensure your information is stored securely and protected from misuse, interference, and unauthorised access.

If we need to use or disclose your personal information for any purpose not directly related to your care or our administrative functions, we will seek your explicit consent beforehand.

What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Name, date of birth, contact details, and address
Medical history, medications, immunisations, allergies, and risk factors
Claim details (e.g. WorkCover, ICWA, DVA, Overseas Insurance, TAC)
Medicare and Health Fund Details (where applicable)
Credit or debit card details over the phone for the purposes of taking payments through secure payment channels

How We Collect Your Personal Information

Our practice may collect your personal information through various channels to support your care and treatment.

Initial Contact: When you contact us via phone, via e-mail or via our website or when we receive information from your surgeon or proceduralist’s rooms.
During Care: While preparing for or providing medical services, our staff or your anaesthetist may collect additional personal and sensitive information relevant to your treatment.
From Other Sources: In certain circumstances, it may not be practical or reasonable to collect information directly from you. In such cases, we may collect personal information from your guardian or legally responsible person or other healthcare providers involved in your care, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services, pathology and diagnostic imaging services.
For billing purposes: From your Health Fund, Insurer, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Who We Share Your Personal Information With

We may share your personal information in the following circumstances, in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and our privacy policy:

With other healthcare providers involved in your care.
During the provision of medical services, including through systems such My Health Record
When necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to your life, health, or safety, or to public health or safety, and it is impractical to obtain your consent.
Where there is a statutory requirement, such as mandatory notification of certain diseases.
With third parties engaged by our practice for business purposes (e.g. IT service providers and debt collectors). These parties are contractually required to comply with the APPs and our privacy policy.
When required or authorised by law, such as in response to a court subpoena.
To assist in locating a missing person.
To establish, exercise, or defend a legal or equitable claim.
For the purpose of a confidential dispute resolution process.

Access to your personal information is restricted to those who need it to perform their duties. Except as outlined above, or in the course of providing medical services, we will not disclose your personal information to third parties, including those outside Australia, unless permitted by law or with your consent.

Our Practice does not engage in direct or indirect marketing activities, and therefore no personal information will be used for such purposes under any circumstances.

How We Store and Protect Your Personal Information

Your information may be stored in electronic systems (predominantly MediTrust), visual records (X-Rays, CT scans and photographs), AI transcription of telephone calls for service quality monitoring, and occasionally in paper records. The third-party electronic systems that we use are protected by encryption, secure infrastructure, and industry-standard security practices. We and our third-party providers implement secure storage practices and restrict access to authorised personnel only.

Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

We recognise that you have the right to request access to or correction of your personal information held by our Practice. To facilitate this, we ask that all access requests be submitted in writing using either of the following methods:

By e-mail to: enquiries@striveanaesthesia.com.au
By Post to:
Strive Anaesthesia
PO Box 225
Wembley
WA 6913

Our practice will respond within 30 calendar days of receiving your request. There is no fee to make a request. However, if we are likely to incur costs in providing this information (printing or postage fees, for example), we will advise you in advance of any costs before proceeding.

How to Lodge a Privacy Complaint

We remain committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals whose personal information we collect and manage and will be sure to take any complaints about mishandling very seriously. Should you have any concerns about how we have handled your personal information, please be sure to address these issues with us in writing to our Practice Manager, via the e-mail below. We will respond within 30 days in accordance with our Complaints Handling Procedure.

Contact: Nicola@striveanaesthesia.com.au

Thereafter, if you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), which is the independent national regulator for privacy and freedom of information. Further information about your rights and how to submit a privacy complaint is available on their website: www.oaic.gov.au or by calling them on: 1300 363 992