1. Commitment to Patient Privacy & Statutory Framework
Genesis Medical Consulting is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of all personal and health information entrusted to us. As a provider of specialist psychiatric, psychological, and psycho-medico-legal healthcare services, we operate in strict compliance with:
- The Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
- The Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) and Health Privacy Principles (HPPs).
- The professional codes and confidentiality guidelines established by the Medical Board of Australia, the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA), and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
2. Types of Information Collected
To provide safe, accurate, and high-standard clinical mental health care, we collect sensitive personal, demographic, and medical health information, including:
- Personal & Demographic Data: Legal full name, preferred name, date of birth, sex at birth, gender identity, preferred pronouns, residential address, telephone numbers, and email address.
- Cultural Identity: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status, supporting culturally safe healthcare delivery.
- Billing & Insurance Details: Medicare number, individual reference number, expiry date, private health fund details, and where applicable, third-party compensable claim details (WorkCover NSW / CTP insurer, claim numbers, injury dates, case manager contacts).
- Clinical & Medical History: Current symptoms, psychological history, psychiatric evaluations, past treatments, current medications, pharmacotherapy records, diagnostic reports, and details of your referring General Practitioner (GP) or specialist.
- Emergency Contacts: Name, relationship, and contact telephone number of your designated Next of Kin or emergency contact.
3. Methods of Collection
Information is collected primarily directly from you through:
- The Genesis Medical Consulting digital patient intake form (/intake-form.html) or physical PDF intake form.
- Direct clinical consultations, psychiatric assessments, and telehealth evaluations.
- The Raymond AI conversational intake portal.
- Medical correspondence, letters of instruction (LOI), and referral letters sent by your treating GP, referring medical specialists, or authorized legal representatives.
4. Disclosure and Information Sharing Protocols
Your health records and personal information are strictly confidential and will only be disclosed in the following defined circumstances:
a. Continuity of Clinical Care: Routine clinical correspondence (e.g., initial assessment letters, progress summaries, medication plans) provided to your referring GP or nominated treating practitioners.
b. Legal Subpoena & Statutory Mandates: Where subpoenaed, mandated by a court of competent jurisdiction, or required by Australian Commonwealth or NSW law.
c. Imminent Threat to Life or Health: Where our clinicians form a reasonable belief that disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious and imminent threat to your life, health, or safety, or that of another individual (APP 6.2(c)).
d. Statutory Regulatory Audit: To statutory health authorities for lawful Medicare, billing, or accreditation auditing.
e. Authorized Compensable Claims: With your express written consent, to your nominated WorkCover or CTP insurance scheme case manager for treatment plan approvals.
5. Health Record Retention & Storage Schedule
Under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) and national health guidelines, medical and psychological records must be retained for:
- A minimum of 7 years from the date of the last clinical consultation for adult patients.
- For patients who attended as minors, until the patient attains 25 years of age.
All electronic medical records are stored within Australian data sovereignty jurisdictions using enterprise-grade encryption (AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit), strict multi-factor authentication, and role-based administrative access.
6. Access to Your Health Records
You have the right to request access to the health information we hold about you, or to request a factual correction if you believe the details are inaccurate or incomplete. Requests must be submitted in writing to our practice manager at reception@georgestreetcr.com.au.
Please note that under the Privacy Act, access may be declined in limited circumstances, such as where providing access would pose a serious threat to the life or health of any individual or breach legal privilege.
7. Privacy Inquiries & Complaints
If you have questions, concerns, or wish to raise a complaint regarding our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer:
Privacy Officer • Genesis Medical Consulting
Suite 34, 74 Rawson Street, Epping NSW 2121
Telephone: (02) 9868 5155 | Fax: (02) 9868 5166
If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may lodge a formal complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) online at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992.