Privacy and policies
1. Professional membership and registration
2. Codes of conduct and ethics
3. Privacy
4. Client files
5. Third-parties
6. Missed Consultations and Late Cancellation Fees
7. Website terms and conditions
8. Intellectual Property
9. Cookies
1. Professional membership and registration
Naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist: professional membership and Fellow of Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA), membership number 152124
Registered nurse: registration with Australian Health Professional Registration Australia (AHPRA), registration number NMW0001285326.
2. Codes of conduct and ethics
As a naturopath and a registered nurse, my professional practice is covered by several codes and I adhere to the requirements stated in these codes.
- Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Professionals. Under the Public Health Act 2010, Schedule 3 of the Public Health Regulation 2012 sets out the Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Professionals. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/phact/Documents/coc-unregistered-practitioners.pdf
- NHAA Code of Ethics. Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia. http://www.nhaa.org.au/docs/Code_of_Ethics.pdf
- Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia and the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
3. Privacy
Personal information is required in providing professional health services, and often this information is very personal. Jane Hutchens acts in accordance with key legislation and regulatory requirements for respecting and maintaining privacy of client information.
The two key Acts are the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) which regulates non-health personal information and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) protects health-related personal information. They are legal obligations which NSW public sector agencies and private sector organisations must abide by when they collect, hold, use and disclose a person’s health information.
The 15 Health Privacy Principles (HPPs) provide the framework for the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) and they cover the following areas. http://www.ipc.nsw.gov.au/health-privacy-principles-hpps-explained-members-public
- Collection of information: must be lawful, relevant, direct, and open.
- Storage of personal information: must be secure.
- Access and accuracy of information: must be transparent, accessible, correct and accurate.
- Use of information: limited to the purpose for which it was collected or if a different purpose, specific consent is required.
- Disclosure: limited and only with consent (eg providing information to another health professional you are consultation with).
- Identifiers and anonymity: as required and able.
- Transferrals and linkages: controlled and authorised.
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Further information about privacy protection is available from the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner: Privacy Hotline on 1300-363-992, www.privacy.gov.au.
Your personal information is collected in the context of a consultation. I record your address, contact telephone numbers, email address as well as consent to contact other health professionals where appropriate. This information is stored on a secure practice management software. This information is used to contact you directly regarding your consultation, appointments, or treatment. It may also be used to provide you with information regarding the clinic or in de-identified group newsletters. Your email address will not be added to any mailing list, nor will it be disclosed to any other party without your knowledge and consent. You can opt to not be contacted by email any time.
At your consultation I will also collect personal information regarding your physical and emotional health history and concerns and lifestyle. This information enables me to understand and treat your health issues and to be able to personalise treatment specific to your needs. This information is not given to other parties, including family members, without your explicit consent. Your personal information may be disclosed for purposes relating to your healthcare (e.g. writing a referral letter for you) or for regulatory reporting and compliance. You will always be advised and your consent obtained before any information is disclosed.
Electronic banking details given to us will remain confidential and are protected by appropriate security measures.
4. Client files
Client files are required to record your health history and reason for seeking assistance, assessments and treatments. The file is a professional record of treatment and interaction and enables review and modification of treatment over time. Files are stored in locked cabinets, in a locked room with restricted access or on practice management software.
5. Third-parties
Jane Hutchens Co does not sell, trade or transfer User Information to third parties.
6. Missed Consultations and Late Cancellation Fees
Please note that a minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or change an appointment. Failure to provide this notice will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the value of the scheduled appointment.
7. Website terms and conditions
Disclaimer
The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice, including these terms and conditions. We may at times and without notice, vary, modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, any or all of this website.
All information found on this site are intended as general information only and it is not equivalent to having a consultation with a health professional. Jane Hutchens is not responsible for actions or decisions made by individuals and you are advised to seek consult with a qualified and experienced healthcare practitioner for expert advice and treatment specific to your individual needs.
We do not guarantee the completeness, currency or appropriateness of information on this site for your individual needs. In using this site, you acknowledge that the information and materials on the site may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
External Links
This web site provides links to other web sites. We are not responsible for the privacy policies, practises or content of such third party websites. These links are provided for your convenience only and linkage does not imply that we check, endorse, approve or agree with third party websites. You are encouraged to read and understand the privacy policies on those web sites prior to providing any information to them.
8. Intellectual Property
All material on this website, unless otherwise specified, is owned and copyright to Jane Hutchens. Information on this site may be accessed and used for personal, non-commercial purposes. Information may be referenced back to this site. Commercial use or reproduction of information is not permitted without prior approval by Jane Hutchens.
9. Cookies
This website uses “cookies”. A cookie is a small data file that a web site can transfer to a visitor’s hard drive to keep records of the visits to such site. A cookie contains information such as your username and password that helps us recognise the pages you have visited and improve future visits, but the only personal information a cookie can contain is the information that you provide yourself. A different identification number is sent each time you use our web site. Cookies do not identify individual users, although they do identify a user’s Internet browser type and your Internet Service Provider.