Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) manages personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth), Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches Act 2017), the Australian Privacy Principles and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and Health Records Regulations 2012 (Vic).
Gippsland PHN is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. This privacy statement explains how Gippsland PHN manages the personal information that we collect, use and disclose and how to contact us if you have any further queries about our management of your personal information.
Gippsland PHN manages information from stakeholders including consumers and carers and those with lived experience who access our commissioned services, general practice, specialists, allied health professionals, staff and potential staff, consultants, contractors, volunteers, students on placement, and members.
Gippsland PHN collects personal information directly from individuals, in writing, by telephone, email or via the website and may also receive information from sources, including:
Personal information collected will be stored confidentially, unless disclosure is required by law.
Gippsland PHN will only seek to collect information that is necessary for the operations of the organisation.
All information collected by Gippsland PHN will be used only for the primary purpose intended, i.e. for the employment of staff, commissioning and co-design activities, strategic and operational planning, to communicate with general practice, specialists and allied health to facilitate education sessions, services, and events, to undertake improvement activities, to respond to feedback such as compliments, complaints and suggestions or requests for information of a general nature about our services.
Where an individual is participating in a specific program commissioned by Gippsland PHN, they will be provided with specific details regarding the collection of information and consent process, e.g. program flier or details on Gippsland PHN website, verbal explanation by program staff or via a consent form.
Gippsland PHN may not be able to deliver some, or all services, unless personal information is provided.
Organisational needs may require the disclosure of deidentified personal information to related service providers (for example funding bodies and other health organisations).
Gippsland PHN stores information electronically in secure databases and document management systems. At times some information may be stored in paper files.
Measures are taken to ensure information is accurate, up-to-date, complete and relevant, and is protected from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, disclosure or alteration.
Gippsland PHN adheres to the retention and disposal of personal information in line with our obligations under the Archives Act 1983 (Cth).
Gippsland PHN may need to share personal information. This information is disclosed with the understanding that all parties comply with the Privacy Act. Organisations that may receive personal information from Gippsland PHN in accordance with the Privacy Act, include:
Gippsland PHN may also disclose personal information if:
Gippsland PHN only uses personal information for marketing of projects and programs where there is express consent to do so. Gippsland PHN does not sell information to other organisations.
We may contact you in a variety of ways, including by post, email, SMS, telephone call or facsimile.
We will not send you any commercial electronic messages such as SMS or emails unless this is permitted by the Spam Act and only if we have your express consent to do so.
Any commercial electronic message that we send will identify Gippsland PHN as the sender and will include our contact details. If you do not wish to receive commercial electronic messages from us, please let us know (our contact details are provided at the end of this policy) or use the “Unsubscribe” option in the electronic communication.
Individuals can request access to their personal information and can ask for corrections to be made if it is thought the information held is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date.
There are some circumstances in which Gippsland PHN is not required to give access to an individual’s personal information, for example, where this would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, or access would pose a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual, or to public health or safety. If Gippsland PHN refuses to provide access, individuals will be usually be provided with reasons as to why access is refused.
Proof of identity is required before Gippsland PHN provides access to personal information.
Individuals who would like to lodge a complaint about a potential data or privacy breach can contact our Privacy Officer. The Privacy Officer will make good faith efforts to rectify the issue and respond within a reasonable period after the complaint is made.
Details regarding lodging a complaint at https://gphn.org.au/contact-us/ or call us on 03 5175 5444.
For further information or enquiries regarding our Privacy Statement, or to request access to personal information:
Phone: 03 5175 5444
Email: info@gphn.org.au
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.