Date – 17/05/25

Respiratory Sleep and Comprehensive Medicine (RSCM)

1. Introduction

At RSCM – Respiratory Sleep and Comprehensive Medicine – we are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal health information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), the Privacy Act 1988, and the standards of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP).

This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information, and how you can access and correct your information.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect and hold the following types of personal information:

  • Your name, date of birth, address, contact details
  • Medicare, DVA, health fund, and other billing information
  • Medical history and medications
  • Referrals, pathology and imaging results, and reports from other health professionals
  • Notes taken during consultations and procedures
  • Letters and reports generated from your consultations

3. How We Collect Your Information

Your personal information is typically collected:

  • Directly from you (e.g. during consultations, phone calls, forms, or emails)
  • From your referring GP or other health professionals
  • Through diagnostic tests or sleep studies
  • From health services or hospitals involved in your care

In some cases, with your consent, we may collect information from your family members or carers.

4. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Our doctors may use AI-supported tools to assist in generating clinic letters, medical documentation, and treatment summaries. These tools are used:

  • Under strict medical supervision
  • To improve efficiency and consistency in documentation
  • Only on secure and compliant platforms that do not store identifiable patient information

AI tools are not used to make clinical decisions or replace medical judgment. Your treating physician is solely responsible for your medical care and final documentation.

5. Purpose of Collecting Personal Information

We collect, hold, use and disclose your information to:

  • Provide you with high-quality clinical care
  • Communicate with referring doctors and allied health professionals
  • Arrange diagnostic and therapeutic services
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Process Medicare, DVA, WorkCover or private billing
  • Facilitate quality improvement, clinical audits, and teaching (de-identified data only)

6. Disclosure of Your Information

We will only disclose your information:

  • To other medical practitioners and health professionals involved in your care
  • To Medicare, your health fund, or government agencies when required
  • When required by law (e.g. court subpoena, mandatory reporting)
  • For purposes you have consented to

We will not disclose your information to third parties for marketing purposes.

7. Data Security and Storage

All your medical records are stored securely using:

  • MediRecords, our accredited electronic medical records system
  • Encrypted, password-protected databases
  • Secure backup systems

Staff members are bound by confidentiality agreements and undergo regular training in privacy obligations.

8. Access and Correction of Your Information

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your health records
  • Request correction of any incorrect or incomplete information

Please contact our practice in writing to make such requests. We may charge a small administrative fee for providing printed records.

9. Website and Online Communication

Our website and communication tools may collect de-identified usage data for analytics. No personal medical information is collected through our website without your consent.

Electronic communication (email/SMS) is used cautiously and typically for:

  • Appointment reminders
  • Notification of reports being ready
  • Limited clinical communication (with your consent)

10. Making a Privacy Complaint

If you have concerns about your privacy or how your personal information has been handled, please contact our Practice Manager. All complaints are taken seriously and addressed promptly.

If unresolved, you may contact:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
📍 GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
📞 1300 363 992
🌐 www.oaic.gov.au

11. Updates to This Policy

This policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation or practice operations. The latest version will be available on our website and at reception.

Contact Details

RSCM – Respiratory Sleep and Comprehensive Medicine
📍 Unit 5, Francis Chambers, 40 Corinna Street, Phillip ACT 2606
📞 (02) 6166 1133
📠 Fax: (02) 6162 2590
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.rscm.com.au