PRIVACY STATEMENT

The new Privacy Legislation has been enacted which requires your consent to gather medical information. The information to which we refer includes details of your medical condition, your personal details such as address and telephone number and the forms and questionnaires which you complete to assist in the assessment of your condition.

The reason that the information is gathered is mainly to help us provide the most comprehensive health care possible. The settings in which this information may be accumulated or released include the following:

1. Communication with others involved in your care.

• Your referring doctor will receive a letter outlining the outcome of your consultation.
• At some point specific therapists or specialists who are also involved directly in your care may benefit from this knowledge also.

2. Administration

• For the efficient running of our practice (and by law) we need to maintain records of your contact details and of our billing for medical services. On rare occasions this information may be released to a collection agency if necessary.

3. Research and Education

• Assoc. Professor Richard Williams is very active in medical research and in the education of other doctors about conditions affecting the spine. Where medical research is involved, the details of your condition may be required for a specific research project. Information regarding your condition may be combined with the information gained from other patients with similar problems and this may then be analysed to assist in providing the best possible treatment. Medical information gathered in this way is anonymous - your personal details will not be recorded.
  
  
• Also, certain conditions may offer valuable teaching opportunities for other doctors. Photographs may be taken of your x-rays and presented, for instance, at an educational meeting attended only by medical professionals. Again you will not be recognisable by the material presented. The main reason for medical teaching is to ensure that the highest quality care is made available to the patients of this practice.
  
  
• You are not required to provide this information or to give permission for it to be used as described above. If you have any further questions regarding the accumulation or the use of this information please inquire either in person or by email to: info@brispine.com.au
  
  
• Please remember that the accumulation of this information is ultimately in the best interest of yourself and all patients attending this practice.