Purpose of this policy:

SKM Psychology collects, works with and retains its clients’ personal information. This information is important in the provision of psychological services. It is important that clients know that their information is appropriately managed in accordance with law and ethical guidelines of the profession. This policy outlines how SKM Psychology Pty Ltd handles clients’ personal information, in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles.

Relevant Laws and other Documents:

The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles 2014 and the Australian Psychological Society – Code of Ethics (2007)

What personal information do we collect and why?

Personal information is any information which identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you.  In order to provide optimal psychological services, SKM Psychology will collect information from clients or referrers. As a base, the following information will likely be collected:

• Your name, address and date of birth.

• Your contact details.

• Current and past medical information.

• Your family medical history to the extent that it may inform current services.

• Your educational and occupational history.

In addition, we may also collect the following personal information:

• Responses and results from psychological tests and questionnaires.

• Responses and results reasonably obtained as part of a neuropsychological assessment, which may be in a ‘pencil-and-paper’ format, or via a computer.

• Information pertaining to your session notes; treatment plan and your response to treatment.

Information provided by third parties:

We will collect information from you where it is reasonable and practical to do so. We may also need to collect information from others who have known you a long time (such as a spouse or parent) or from others involved in your care (such as your GP). We will always endeavour to keep you reliably informed of the information collected and the source of that information, and where appropriate will seek and obtain written informed consent to contact and retrieve that information.

Disclosure of personal information:

It is noted that in some circumstances psychologists are required by law to disclose personal information without the consent of the client. Specifically, psychologists may disclose personal information where there is a serious threat to the life, health, or safety of an individual or the public, or on a rare occasion to assist in the location of a missing person. Should such an occasion warrant it, SKM Psychology will disclose the personal information of a client but we will always endeavour to notify the client that we are going to do so. Refer to the APS Code of Ethics for clarification, https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/d873e0db-7490-46de-bb57-c31bb1553025/APS-Code-of-Ethics.pdf

Storage and security of personal information:

All SKM Psychology clinicians will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information of clients from misuse, interference or loss, and from unauthorised modification, access or disclosure.

Paper documents containing personal information listed above will be stored under lock. Electronic information containing personal information listed above will be stored and backed up securely, in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics (2007).

Can you access your personal information?

Clients have a right to access their personal information held by SKM Psychology. Such requests need to be put in writing for security and recording purposes and to assist in finding the information for you.

SKM Psychology may refuse the request for such information, or limit the information so provided, where it is legally entitled to do so. We will endeavour to provide reasons for refusal. For example, the release of information may be denied or limited where such release may have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others or is considered frivolous or vexatious.

Psychologists duty of care:

SKM Psychology is guided by the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS’s) Code of Ethics (2007).

It is noted that under of the Code that psychologists disclose confidential information obtained in the course of their provision of psychological services, “if there is an immediate and specified

Complaints:

Clients have a right to make a complaint about the handling of their personal information.  Complaints can be made to SKM Psychology by email (admin@skmp.net.au). We will endeavour to respond appropriately to reasonable complaints within 14 days of the receipt of the email.

Ultimately, if you wish to make a complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to your personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner in writing or online https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/

Alternatively, clients may bring complaints to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (ahpra.gov.au).

Changes to this policy:

We may from time to time make changes to this policy to reflect changes in the law or professional best-practice guidelines. All clients and referrers are encouraged to periodically review this policy to remain informed.