When you become a client of PHS, a medical record is made. It contains your name, address, contact details, health information and information about your treatment. Every time you attend or have contact with PHS, new information is added to your record. We are required to keep medical records for 7 years after the last attendance for adults, and for children until they reach the age of 25 years. The record is then destroyed using secure means such as shredding

Why we collect information
We use information to assess and treat your health and well being in conjunction with your doctor. We also register you as a client so you can obtain services from nurses, doctors, counsellors and volunteers as required. Information may be used for the planning and evaluation of our care and service. In this situation, your personal details are removed so that you cannot be identified.

When do we disclose information?
Peninsula Hospice Service discloses information to third parties such as your GP or specialist, in discussion of your care. In signing the consent form, you have given permission for this to happen.

If you don’t provide information
If information is not collected it may prevent you from becoming a client and receiving appropriate treatment.

Your right to access information
You have a right to access any record containing information about you, except to the extent access is restricted or prohibited by any other federal law. If you wish to access records or correct information as your circumstances change, please address a written request to our Privacy Officer.

How to contact our Privacy Officer
If you wish to obtain a copy of our Privacy Policy or if you have any questions relating to personal information we may hold about you, please contact our PHS Privacy Officer on 9783 6177 or in writing to Peninsula Hospice Service, PO Box 759 Frankston. If you wish to lodge a formal complaint you can contact the Federal Privacy Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992 or the Health Services Commissioner on 03 9655 5200 or 1800 136 060.

The Peninsula Hospice Service is bound by the legal requirements of the National Privacy Principles from the Commonwealth Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 and the Victorian Health Records Act 2001.