Spoke Speech Pathology is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect and hold about our clients.

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and Speech Pathology Australia’s Code of Ethics (2010). 

This Privacy Policy explains how Spoke Speech Pathology manages the personal information we collect, use and disclose. This policy is addressed to you and/or your carer/parent/guardian and should be read prior to engaging in services with Spoke Speech Pathology. Where relevant, any reference below to “you” is also a reference to your carer/parent/guardian as applicable.

Our legal obligations

In order to provide you with the health care services that you have requested, Spoke Speech Pathology will need to collect and use your personal information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us, or withhold personal and health information from us, we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking.

What information does Spoke Speech Pathology collect?

We will only collect the information we need for the particular function or activity we are carrying out. We collect information from you that is necessary to provide you with speech pathology services and to manage our relationship with you. 

Examples of personal information we collect include your name, date of birth, address, contact numbers, funding details, and information about your health history and family history. 

How does Spoke Speech Pathology collect health information?

We will usually collect your health information directly from you. Sometimes, we may need to collect information about you from a third party (such as a relative or another health service provider). In such a case, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

How does Spoke Speech Pathology use your information?

We use your personal information for the purpose you have given the information to us - to provide speech pathology services to you, to manage our relationship with you, and to contact you in relation to matters concerning your care. We may also use your information for other purposes permitted under the Privacy Act 1988.

Your personal and health information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including:

(a) to third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure. This includes (but is not limited to) other health professionals involved in your care, the referrer, or your relatives, guardians, close friends or legal representatives.

(b) where required or authorised by law. 

In order to provide the best possible environment in which to treat you, we may also use or disclose your personal and health information where necessary for: 

(a) activities such as quality assurance processes, accreditation, audits, risk and claims management, patient satisfaction surveys and staff education and training

(b) invoicing, billing and account management

(c) to liaise with your health fund, Medicare, the Department of Veteran's Affairs, or the NDIS, and where required provide information to your health fund, Medicare, the Department of Veteran's Affairs or the NDIS to verify treatment provided to you;

(d) the purpose of sending you standard reminders, for example for appointments and follow-up care, by text message or email to the number or address which you have provided to us.

With your consent we may also use your information for other purposes such as including you on a marketing mail list, or research. Please note, however, that unless you provide us with your express consent for this purpose, we will not use your information in this way. 

Access to and correction of your health information

You have a right to access the personal and health information that we hold about you. 

You can also request an amendment to your personal and health information should you believe that it is inaccurate. If we do not agree to change your medical record/personal information in accordance with your request, we will permit you to make a statement of the requested changes and we will enclose this with your record.

If you wish to access your personal and health information, or request a change to your record, please contact us in writing. In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification and/or written consent for you before releasing the request information. 

Please note that Spoke Speech Pathology may recover reasonable costs associated with supplying this information to you.

Data quality

Spoke Speech Pathology will take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information which we may collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is out of date, please advice us as soon as practical so that we can update our records.

Data security

Spoke Speech Pathology will take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Most personal information will be stored in electronic client files and kept by us for a minimum of 7 years. When your personal information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was collected (and is not required under an Australian law or court/tribunal or otherwise), we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.

Policy updates

This policy may change from time to time, and can be made available at request.

What to do if you have a complaint about privacy issues

If you have any questions or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at: feedback@spokespeech.com