Patients’ privacy – Collection of information

Under the Health Records and Information Privacy (HRIP) Act 2002, the Area Health Service is committed to safeguarding the privacy of patient/client information, and has implemented measures to comply with these obligations. Health Service staff are bound by law, NSW Health Privacy Policy and strict code of conduct to maintain confidentiality of patient information.You are entitled to request access to all personal information including your medical records held by the Area Health Service. Normally you will be asked to apply for this access in writing and to provide identification. There may be a fee involved if you request copies of your personal information or medical record. Access to your personal information may be declined in special circumstances if, for example, giving access would put you or another person at risk of harm.If you believe that the information about you is incorrect, incomplete, misleading or out-of-date please let the health service know as you have the right to request a correction. Upon receiving your request the health service will make provision to allow you to place an addendum in your medical record.Personal information is collected whenever you attend one of the Health Service’s hospitals as an inpatient, outpatient or emergency patient, or if you visit or receive any service from one of the community health centres. When you first attend a Health Service facility a personal health record is created for you. Your record is given a medical record number or “MRN” (a unique patient identifier) which enables all your health information to be correctly identified and securely filed.The information collected from you includes general personal information such as your name, date of birth, religion and medical insurance details. It also includes medical information such as present and past illnesses, test results, operations performed, medications and other related clinical information. Information may also be collected from other health professionals who have treated you and in an emergency we may need to collect information from a family member, friend, carer or other person to enable us to provide patients with the best care, treatment and advice. The health service only collects information that is relevant and necessary for the patient’s treatment and for health service management purposes.