1 – Goal and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to provide standards for confidentiality, integrity, and privacy in communications between South East QLD Care and prospective clients. The strategy was founded on the tenets of the laws that define people’s rights, including the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Disability Services Act, and the Disability Services Standards.
This policy applies to all South East QLD Care programs and activities.
2 – Statement of Policy
At South East QLD Care, every client will get the same level of decency, respect, and privacy as members of the public.
3 – Methods
The following procedures must be followed for South East QLD Care to fulfill its policy objective of ensuring that each participant has the same level of privacy, integrity, and confidentiality as the other members of the group expect.
South East QLD Care will:
- Only collect client information that may be demonstrated to be directly related to meeting service and care obligations.
- Make sure the individual or family has granted permission before obtaining information from another source.
- Obtain written consent from the individual or family before sharing information with another party.
- Make sure that access to the aforementioned information is only provided to South East QLD Care staff members who need it.
- Let the participant and their family know that personal information about them may be held by South East QLD Care.
- Remind the individual and their family that they have the right to see the client data that South East QLD Care has on file.
- Ensure that South East QLD Care only retains client data for as long as necessary to provide appropriate services and meet its duty of care obligations.
- As soon as you can, investigate, address, and record any consumer concerns regarding confidentiality, honesty, or security.
4 – Performance Criteria
For the procedures to be effective, the following performance requirements need to be met:
- A copy of South East QLD Care’s privacy, dignity, and confidentiality policy has been sent to each client and their family.
- A copy of the South East QLD Care Privacy, Dignity, and Confidentiality Policy was given to each employee and is kept on file.
- South East QLD Care informed participants and their families about the importance of the information.
- Unless participants or their families have completed the Authority to Release Information forms, no information is collected from other sources.
- A customer information system operated by South East QLD Care compiles all of a client’s personal information in one location.
- Customer files in a private office are kept in secured filing cabinets and are returned to their rightful place when they are no longer needed.
- No confidential information, including customer names, is posted on whiteboards or notice boards where the public or other clients might view it.
- Before being exhibited or aired in public, any photos, films, or other identifiable pictures must have the client’s or family’s prior written approval.
- Regular reviews of participant files have ensured that any personal data that is no longer needed or unlikely to be needed in the future has been removed.
- The Consumer Grievances Policy and this policy’s privacy, dignity, and confidentiality standards were followed in the handling of every complaint.