GENERAL
The purpose of this policy is to inform you about what information is required of you, and why and how that information may be used, stored, accessed and destroyed. seasons of life (sol) in this instance refers to any Physiotherapist or employee of sol.

COLLECTION AND USE OF DATA
Sol is committed to protecting your privacy while you are involved with using our services and for as long as is required by law and practicalities of administration. Information gathered is important in provision of appropriate care, safety and service. Generally this information is provided by the client, however in circumstances where information about you is provided to sol by a third party, sol will take reasonable steps to contact you regarding the information.
Information regarding care givers’ details and next of kin (NOK) details is important in provision of a safe service. In case of emergency or other imminent threat, NOK and/or caregiver details will be used to lessen any threat to yours or another’s safety, health or life. Thus by providing NOK details and physiotherapists/doctors/other healthcare givers/hospital details on your screening form, you consent to the verbal or written communication with those individuals or organizations. Wherever practical and possible, consent by yourself shall be obtained prior to any communication outside sol in this instance. Some personal information if relevant may be provided to health insurance funds by way of billing or rebate purposes.
Information such as age, symptoms, or previous illnesses may play a part in decision making about your health and fitness needs and is therefore collected on screening forms. Thus,
personal details and current and past  health  information is gathered for reasons of providing a health service to you and is bound by Privacy law and in accordance with professional confidentiality of Physiotherapy governing bodies. From time to time, other information may be provided to sol by you or another individual or organization, e.g. credit card details, and will be destroyed when no longer required for its given and authorized use, or when by law, it is no longer required.
Anonymous information e.g.; questionnaires regarding exercise outcomes or satisfaction of service is gathered to ensure quality of service and this may be used in a general way to notify other organizations or people of data relating to quality of service. Sol would reasonably believe that this kind of information will not disclose the personal or health details of any involved individuals.

Information must be current, complete and accurate. Please inform sol if your details and/or health status changes.

DATA SECURITY
All records of management of health and fitness are kept under sol security. You may request copies or inspect records of your own health and fitness at any time. All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent your information from unauthorized access or loss. This information, e.g.; screening forms or other information provided to sol by written or verbal communication is kept from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.
Sol will take reasonable steps to destroy or de identify information held if it is no longer required by law or for any purpose for which it may be used or disclosed under law.

DATA ACCESS
Access to information is provided to the individual to whom it belongs unless access provides a serious or imminent threat to the privacy, health or safety of any individual, or the request is frivolous or vexatious or there are anticipated legal proceedings or if by law, providing access is unlawful. There may be other circumstances where provision of access is denied.
 
DISCLOSURE OF DATA
There may be occasions when sol is required to disclose information to a third party.  This includes when disclosure is authorized by law, required to investigate illegal activity, required by enforcement bodies to investigate illegal activities or, for example, when a serious or imminent threat or situation is apparent to your life, safety or health or another’s life, safety or health, disclosure is required without consent to provide appropriate care or treatment of you or another individual unless you have so directed otherwise prior to threat or situation. Otherwise, no information such as name, address, phone numbers, health status or details will be provided to any organization or person outside sol unless you have authorized us to do so.

However, by  providing next of kin details and physiotherapists / doctors / other healthcare givers / hospital details on your screening form, you consent to the verbal or written communication with those individuals or organizations. This is to maximize your quality of health care.  Wherever practical and possible, consent by yourself shall be obtained prior to any communication outside sol in this instance. Some personal information if relevant may be provided to health insurance funds by way of billing or rebate purposes.

MARKETING
From time to time, sol may use your personal information provided to inform you of services. This may include sol newsletters, sol promotional activities or thank you cards, welcome to baby cards etc. Please inform sol if you do not wish to receive this material. Please note, no information such as name, address, phone numbers, health status or details will be provided to any organization or person outside sol unless you have authorized us to do so for marketing or otherwise previously mentioned for emergency reasons.

COMPLAINTS
Please do not hesitate to discuss any issues regarding the way in which your personal information is handled with sol.
See contacts page.

The Federal Privacy Commissioner is also available at:

Freedom of Information Act 1982
Initial enquiries regarding access to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner documents should be directed to the Freedom of Information Officer by either telephoning (02) 9284 9800 or writing to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Office of the Privacy Commissioner
GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 2001
The Office will only use any personal information you provide to us to give you advice or to deal with your complaint.

NOTES
Sol includes any physiotherapist or employee employed or involved in talking of sol classes or provision of sol services.

In accordance with Victorian Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
Privacy Act 2000 (Vic)
Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000(Commonwealth)