Privacy policy
Privacy Policy
At Kemmis Clinical Psychology, we are committed to keeping your personal information safe and confidential. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your information when you use our website and the services we provide.
The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
By using this website, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect and Store
Client files are held in a secure filing cabinet or in electronic format which is accessible only to authorised employees or any authorised service provider in accordance with the practice's policies and procedures. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service.
Electronic information will be secured by being password-protected on a computer only accessible to your psychologist and administrative staff or encrypted in secure, cloud services. Personal information will be destroyed once it is no longer required for any ethical or legal purpose.
How we collect your information
We only collect your information when you contact us directly, including website contact forms, email, phone of face to face, or when other health practitioners provide personal information to Kemmis Clinical Psychology, via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.
Purpose of holding personal information
A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.
We may also use your information to improve our services or develop new services.
Consequence of not providing personal information
If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Kemmis Clinical Psychology may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client.
Disclosure of personal information
All personal information gathered by your psychologist will remain confidential and secure except when:
It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or
Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at risk of harm; or
Your prior approval has been obtained to provide either a written report or to discuss the information with a third party e.g. insurance company, employer, parent or spouse; or
If you report that a child or young person is at risk of harm (from yourself or someone else). Clinical psychologists are considered ‘’mandatory reporters’ and are required by law to report to the NSW Department of Family and Community Services if they suspect (using their professional judgement and training), on reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is at risk of harm (i.e. physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect).
Your psychologist is required to correspond with your GP and/or referring health professional as part of your care if you attend under a Mental Health Care Plan.
Third Party
A client's personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law.
Clients' personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.
Links
This website may contain links to other websites. These links are meant for your convenience only. Links to third party websites do not constitute sponsorship or endorsement or approval of these websites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other websites. We encourage our users to be aware,
Security
We work hard to keep your personal information safe, secure, and private when you use our website. We also update our security measures periodically to keep up with new technology.
Requests for access to client information
At any stage you, as a client, are entitled to access the information about you that is kept on file, unless the relevant legislation provides otherwise (e.g. where the access poses a serious threat to the life or health of a person), or if access may interfere with the therapeutic process and pose a serious threat to your health as a result. Your psychologist will be happy to discuss the nature and manner of access to your information should the need arise. Should you request access to your file, an appointment will be made with you for clarification purposes. If you find that the information held about you is not accurate or complete, you may request to have that information amended. Your psychologist will take reasonable steps to correct the information, attaching comments to the record rather than permanently erasing details. Upon request, your health information can be made available to another health service provider.
Concerns
If you have a concern about the management of your personal information, please let us know at admin@kemmispsychology.com.au or 0414 754 966. Upon request you can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles guidelines (APP guidelines), which describe your rights and how your information should be handled. Ultimately, if you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, or access to, your personal information you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The OAIC can be contacted on 1300 363 992, or visit www.oaic.gov.au for more information.
Change In Privacy Policy
As we plan to ensure our privacy policy remains current, this policy is subject to change. We may modify this policy at any time, in our sole discretion and all modifications will be effective immediately upon our posting of the modifications on this website. Please return periodically to review our privacy policy. If you have any questions or concerns at any time about our privacy policy or the use of your personal information, please contact us at admin@kemmispsychology.com.au or 0414 754 966