Ballarat IVF - Fertility Clinic

Your Rights

Collection, Use and Disclosure of your Information

In order for us to provide the best possible care that is accurate and appropriate…
  • we need information about your medical history – we collect this from you, and other sources with your consent
  • sometimes we may receive further information from other sources, such as your GP – when we do we will, whenever possible, make sure you know we have received this information
  • all members of our medical team require full knowledge of your health information
  • sometimes we have to share your health information with other health care providers in order to ensure quality and continuity of care

For billing and medical rebate purposes…
  • we have to share some of your health information with Medicare and your private health fund

For other purposes…
  • the doctors and nurses at BIVF are members of various medical and professional bodies, including medical defence organisations, and sometimes they need to disclose your health information for medical defence purposes
  • sometimes a medical practitioner is legally bound to disclose patient’s personal information – an example of this is the mandatory reporting of communicable diseases
It is necessary for us to keep your health information after your final attendance at this practice for as long as is required by law or is prudent regarding administrative requirements.

Access - Your Rights

You have a right to access your health information and / or ask for a copy of the information in part or full. You are not required to give reasons for your request, but you may be asked to clarify the scope of your request. The material over which the doctor has copyright might have conditions that prevent further copying or publication without the doctor’s permission. If you find that the information held about you is inaccurate or incomplete you can have that information amended. Your health information held by this practice will be made available to another health service provider if they request it.

Parents / guardians and children
A child’s right to privacy of their health information might restrict access by parents or guardians, based on the law and the professional judgment of the doctor.

The Law
We are governed by the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act (2008) and are required by law to follow the principles of this act.

For more information visit the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority at www.varta.org.au
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