What happens to your health information?
Castlemaine Health will create a health record for you when you become a client of our NDIS service. This record will contain:
- basic identification data
- contact details
- information for billing purposes
- information about your condition and treatment given
Each time you attend the service new information is added to your record. Some information may be recorded on our computer system. A paper history will be kept to record all relevant information about you.
Why is this necessary?
So that each health care professional involved in your care has all the facts. Your previous history of care can help us identify which treatments are likely to be safe and effective for you. We rely on information you give staff to help us provide the best care and attention for you. Withholding relevant information may delay your treatment or put your health at risk.
How is your information used?
Your health information is shared among the health care professionals in your treating team. All staff at Castlemaine Health are bound by professional ethics and legal obligations. Our staff maintain the confidentiality of your information.
If you become an inpatient or experience a medical emergency, we will release your information to inform your medical care. This will only happen if the heath service treating you requests the information. In all other circumstances your written consent is needed to release your information.
Some of your information may be used to:
- help staff review the care they provide to ensure it is of the highest standard
- plan future services and check that we are running an efficient service
- study disease patterns or treatments offered
- inform health research and planning
Wherever possible this information will not identify you. Your permission will be sought if identification is necessary.
Our legal obligations
The law requires that we release information in certain circumstances. These include:
- reporting specific diseases to Department of Health and Human Services and other health care organisations’ databases
- providing medical records to the courts when subpoenaed
- reporting statistical information to the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies
No identifying details are included in these reports.
How long is your information kept?
Your information is stored securely. Only authorised staff can access it. It can only be destroyed according to standards set by the Public Records Office of Victoria.
Accessing your information
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 allows people access to their health records in most circumstances. All requests for access should be made via the Chief Executive Officer. A request form is available on Castlemaine Health’s website. A fee is charged for this service.