Privacy Policy

The Commonwealth Government has enacted the National Privacy Act, and Health Service Providers such as Bethsalem Care have implemented and processes to ensure the safe custody and storage of all your personal data.

The Act and its amendments require Bethsalem Care to inform new residents upon admission, or current residents of the Home, of the reasons why it is necessary to receive, store, use and / or provide to others any of their personal data and / or information.

In addition, the Act now makes it possible for you to amend or change data that we hold to ensure that it is correct and up-to-date.

WHY BETHSALEM NEEDS TO COLLECT INFORMATION:

Bethsalem Care is committed to providing residents with the highest standard of accommodation and care services.  Your personal information is used or disclosed by the Home to enable us to:

 · Provide optimal care, treatment and accomodation services to residents.

 · Assist residents with their enquiries and to administer the services we provide.

 · Participate in quality assurance audits and internal accreditation programs.

  · Share information with Medical Practitioners, Specialists,  Hospitals  and  allied Health Professionals who may be needed to provide follow-up treatment and ongoing care to you.

 · Benchmark and report resident care to the Board of Management or internal committees.

 · Meet the statutory requirements as set down  by State and Federal Government reporting requirements.

 · Render accounts and collect payment from residents.

 STORING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:

 From the moment you apply to our facility you will be asked to provide sensitive and personal information about yourself.

 We aim to ensure that all personal information we hold is accurate, complete and up to date.

 Bethsalem  Care stores, uses, and,  where necessary, transfers personal health information (eg  Medical Records) contained in paper-based and electronic records in, a secure manner.

 We will retain your information until after the resident/client’s last contact with us, for as long as is legally required or to reasonably meet our administrative needs.

 DOES BETHSALEM HAVE A PRIVACY POLICY?

 Yes, we do have a Privacy Statement that contains our policy and commitment  to ensure that your data is safely stored and kept  confidential at all times.

WHEN DO I HAVE TO GIVE MY CONSENT?

 When you are admitted, or if you are a current resident,  you will  be  asked to provide  written consent so that  Bethsalem  Care can use your personal information in accordance with our privacy statement.

Or, at some time in the future whenever staff request your permission to provide data on your behalf for care and treatment needs .

 Can I refuse to provide my personal  information or my consent at anytime?

Yes, it is your right to provide us with your personal information, or to change your mind, or to modify and change your data.

However, by not providing consent, we may not be able  to provide you with the appropriate care, treatment and accommodation services that you may need.

CAN I ACCESS MY RECORDS?

 You  may  at  any  time request  access  to information we hold about you.  That is your right.  We will not charge you  for  access but if  you  wish to have copies of your records, you will be required to pay an access fee to cover the costs of obtaining such copies. 

To access records, you must request them in writing to the Privacy Officer (our Business Manager) at Bethsalem Care.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

 · Bethsalem Care will at all times safeguard my personal information, and not provide it to anyone without my personal consent.

 · Bethsalem Care staff and work practices will at all times ensure my privacy and confidentiality.

 · Bethsalem Care staff will assist me in any specific enquiries that I may have with the Australian Privacy Principles and/or the Privacy Act.  (A copy of the Act can be viewed by contacting the Privacy Officer.)

 · You can at any time change your mind, and withdraw consent , however, you must advise Bethsalem Care in writing.  In doing so, you also understand that Bethsalem Care may not be able to provide the care and services that you may need.

 · My personal information that is stored on Bethsalem Care computers is at all times kept private and not provided without my permission, except where this is required by law.

 · If you give written consent to Bethsalem Care they will at all times keep all information secure and confidential.

 · Bethsalem Care does not participate in any type of direct marketing and your data will not be used for those purposes.

HOW TO CONTACT US

New Residents

As part of your contact with us, we will naturally require certain information about you.  That information is held in safe custody by the Care Manager or the Business Manager.  Should you need to change or amend any of your details, please contact our Office in writing at the address listed below.

Current Residents

If any current resident/legal guardian has any question(s) about our privacy practices or wishes to change or amend data, please see the Care Manager or the Business Manager.  However, if you wish to obtain a copy or see any of your data that we hold, then you will need to write to our Privacy Officer for an appointment to assess what data can be provided and/or copied at Law and the appropriate fee payable.

If you have a complaint or wish to make one:

If you wish to complain about our privacy practices, you must write to the Privacy Officer (Business Manager) providing all the necessary details, or you may wish to contact the Australian Privacy Commissioner.

You can contact our Privacy Officer on:

8321 0300 or write to:

Bethsalem Care

10 Education Road (PO Box 196)

Happy Valley  SA  5159

Fax:     (08) 8321 0301

Email: admin@bethsalemcare.com.au