Privacy Policy

Innate Midwifery (ABN: 65 887 895 625) is committed to managing personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 and in accordance with other applicable privacy laws.

This document (referred to as our privacy policy) is to provide information to you, the patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within this practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.

Why and when your consent is necessary  

When you engage the services of Innate Midwifery, you are providing consent for your midwife to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible midwifery care, and to create a record which includes your personal information. Only your midwife will see your personal information and have access to it. If your midwife needs to share your information with other health professionals not directly involved in your care, she will de-identify you, i.e., remove or omit your name and address and any other identifying information.

Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information  

Innate Midwifery will need to collect your personal information to provide midwifery services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage you and your babies health during you pregnancy and postpartum. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, audits and professional practice reviews.  

What personal information do we collect  

The information we will collect about you includes: 

·names, date of birth, addresses, contact details  

·medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors  

·Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes  

·healthcare identifiers  

·health fund details. 

You can always decline to give Innate Midwifery any personal information we request, but that may mean we cannot provide you with some or all of the services you have requested or the care you receive may not be completely holistic.

Dealing with us anonymously  

You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals. Generally, however it is not practicable for Innate Midwifery to deal with individuals anonymously or pseudonymously on an ongoing basis. 

How do we collect your personal information  

Innate Midwifery will collect your personal information: 

1. When you make your first appointment we collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.  

2. During the course of providing midwifery services, we may collect further personal information.  

3. We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, or communicate with us using social media.  

4. In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from: 

· your next of kin or emergency contact/s 

·other involved healthcare providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services 

·your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veteran's Affairs (as necessary).  

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Who do we share your personal information with  

We sometimes share your personal information: 

·with other healthcare providers 

·when it is required or authorised by law (eg court subpoenas)  

·when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to your life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain your consent 

·to assist in locating a missing person 

·to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim 

·for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process  

·when there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (eg some diseases require mandatory notification) 

Only people that need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing midwifery services or as otherwise described in this policy, Innate Midwifery will not share personal information with any third party without your consent. 

We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent. 

Innate Midwifery will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt-out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.  

How do we store and protect your personal information 

Innate Midwifery stores your personal information in paper-based files and converted to electronic form for use or storage. Innate Midwifery takes reasonable steps to protect your information stored with us from un-authorised access, modification and disclosure and stores all personal information securely. Electronic records are password protected. Paper records are stored at a private premises, and securely locked away in filing cabinets with keys securely stored in a secure and concealed location.

How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. 

Innate Midwifery acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We ask that you put this request in writing and we will respond within a reasonable time, no more than 2 to 3 days. You will be notified if this timeframe is unable to be met for whatever reason. 

Innate Midwifery takes reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up-to-date. You can help us do this by letting us know of any errors or discrepancies you notice in the information we hold about you and informing us if your details change.

Privacy and our website 

You may visit our website www.innatemidwifery.com.au without identifying yourself. If you identify yourself (for example, by providing you contact details in an enquiry), any personal information you provide to us will be managed in accordance to this Privacy Policy.

Innate Midwifery’s website uses cookies. A “cookie” is a small file stored on your computer’s browser, which assists in managing customised settings of the website and delivering content. Our website will collect certain information such as your device type, browser type, IP address, pages you have accessed on our website and on third party websites. You are not identifiable from such information.

You can use the settings on your browser to control how your browser deals with cookies. However, in doing so, you may be unable to access certain pages or content on our website.

Innate Midwifery’s website may contain links to third party websites. Innate Midwifery is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of websites that are linked to our website.

How can you lodge a privacy related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled

You can contact Innate Midwifery at any time if you have concerns or questions about this privacy policy or about the way in which your personal information has been handled.

We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. We will then investigate and attempt to resolve the issue promptly.

If you are not satisfied with Innate Midwifery’s response to your complaint, or you consider that Innate Midwifery is in breach of the Australian Privacy Principles or the Privacy Act, a complaint may be made to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The OAIC will require you to give them time to respond, before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 336 002.

Policy review statement 

Innate Midwifery may amend this privacy policy from time to time, with or without notice to you. We recommend that you visit our website www.innatemidwifery.com.au regularly to keep up to date with any changes. However, you can rest assured, any changes will remain in line with Australian Privacy Laws.