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Patient information—update to Federal Privacy Act

Friday 2 March 2018

Mater has legal obligations to take reasonable steps to protect the privacy and security of health information. The Federal Privacy Act provides significant penalties for non-compliance with the Act. 
 
On 22 February, the Privacy Act was amended to require mandatory notification of data breaches to patients and the Regulator where the data breaches put the patient at risk of harm. 
 
Health information is not just clinical information but is all information collected in the course of providing a health service. Apart from clinical information, it includes patient demographic information and information relating to third parties (e.g. members of the patient’s family). 
 
Privacy and security covers the collection, use and disclosure of health information as well as access to information and computer systems.
 
All Mater staff and Visiting Medical Officers are required to be familiar with their obligations in handling health information, as outlined on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website.
 
Mater’s Privacy Office manages all external requests for access to health information as well as internal privacy issues and privacy training. 
 
If you have any question or issues about privacy, please contact the Privacy Office on 07 3163 2666 or email [email protected], or visit the Privacy Office, level 2, Mater Hospital Brisbane.
 

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