Privacy

How Melbourne Health protects your privacy

Melbourne Health is committed to protecting your privacy. We comply with all applicable Victorian legislation relating to confidentiality and privacy regading information relating to your health and other personal details. A brochure "How Melbourne Health is Protecting Your Privacy" is available from all wards.

Information collected by Melbourne Health
When you become a patient of Melbourne Health, a medical record is created. This includes information such as your name, address and contact details, as well as information about your health problems and the treatment you received. Every time you attend or have contact with Melbourne Health, new information is added to your record.

In addition to complying with all relevant privacy and confidentiality legislation, Melbourne Health has strict policies and protocols with respect to the collection, use, disclosure and storage of patient information.

We have taken measures to ensure that paper records and information stored electronically on our computer system are stored securely. Only authorised personnel have access to your information.

Refusing disclosure of information
Melbourne Health may disclose your information to other service providers outside Melbourne Health, including your own doctor and other health care and community support providers, if this is necessary for your further treatment (eg a discharge summary is usually sent to your GP). You have the right to refuse your information being disclosed to service providers outside Melbourne Health, which you can exercise by completing a Refusal of Consent to Disclosure and Use of Information form.

Disclosing information without consent
There may be occassions where Melbourne Health may be obliged by, or authorised under, law to disclose patient information, regardless of the patient's consent. Examples of this include:

 Presentation of your medical record to a court when subpoenaed
   (in the case of legal action);

 Reporting to appropriate Government Authorities (such as registration of births, deaths,
   diseases and treatments);

 Reporting of information about care provided required by the Department of Human 
   Services;

 Disclosures in accordance with the provisions of section 141 of the Health Services Act.

Contacting patients after treatment
 By a member of the health care team for follow up, including evaluation

 By a MH researcher, to invite you to participate in an important research project

 By a member of our fundraising department may send you information or contact you with a request for financial support.  If you do not wish for this to happen, please contact MH fundraising on (03) 8387 2645.