Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

  • Being Me Therapies is dedicated to ensuring individuals' privacy and personal information safety. This policy explains our procedures and practices for collecting, using, and disclosing personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. It also deals with those requirements that are particular to our services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

2. Collection of Personal Information

  • Types of Information Collected: We may gather personal, sensitive, and health information required for therapy services, client relationship management, and adherence to legal requirements. This collection may include, but is not limited to, names, addresses, contact information, medical histories, treatment plans, and NDIS participant-related information.

  • Data Collection Methods: We collect personal data from the clients or their representatives through consultations, forms, and communication with our staff. We may also receive information from other health care providers with your consent.

3. Use of Personal Information

  • Purpose: Personal information is only utilised to provide specified services under the NDIS, manage our care obligations, and perform administrative functions related to our services.

  • Secondary Uses: Information may be used occasionally for quality improvement, training, and compliance, subject always to the requirements of the law.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

  • Third Parties: Information may be disclosed to other healthcare providers, NDIS planners, and legal guardians on a need-to-know basis and within the parameters of the consent provided.

  • Legal Requirements: Information may be released where it is mandated by law, for example, for obligatory reporting of specific health concerns.

5. Data Security and Retention

  • Security Procedures: We have proper procedures to secure the personal information we maintain from unauthorised use, loss, access, modification, or disclosure. These include physical security, encrypted data storage facilities, and secure communication protocols.

  • Retention Period: Personal data will be stored for the duration deemed sufficient to achieve the purposes described under this policy, and to comply with Australian legislation, for example, the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002, where relevant.

6. Access and Correction

  • Requests for Access: Our clients can request access to personal information we hold about them. The requests must be in writing. We try to give access within 30 days, ensuring the information is relevant and up-to-date.

  • Correction: Should you believe that any information we possess is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, you are entitled to request its amendment.

7. Complaints and Enquiries

  • Complaints Process: If you are not satisfied with our handling of personal data, please write your complaint to us. We will respond within 30 days of receipt, detailing what action we will take to address your complaint.

  • Contact Information: Any questions or concerns relating to privacy should be emailed to reception@beingme.com.au.

8. Policy Updates

  • Revisions: We will update this policy occasionally to include changes in our practice or legislation. The revised version will always be available on our website.

9. Acknowledgement and Consent

  • Consent to Collect and Use Information: By utilising our services, our clients consent to collecting and utilising their personal information as specified in this policy, up to the boundaries imposed by law.

10. Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Being Me Therapies can occasionally use carefully selected artificial intelligence software to augment business efficiency and the quality of care. The use of AI is always under the immediate supervision of our Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)-registered practitioners, who assume complete professional responsibility. We limit AI processing to the minimum necessary data, de-identify information wherever possible, and store it by Australian privacy legislation. Patients will be notified about any significant application of artificial intelligence, and consent will be sought, with an option to opt out of AI processes at any time. AI software is periodically tested for accuracy, safety, and conformity with the guidance provided by AHPRA about the discharge of professional duties when using artificial intelligence in the healthcare field (reviewed 22 August 2024).