Privacy Statement

Skin Specialists WA (encompassing Murdoch Dermatology Services, Nedlands Dermatology and Midland Skin & Cancer Clinic) acknowledge the importance of privacy, and confidentiality protection for all our patients.

We assure our patients that a high level of confidentiality is maintained particularly regarding information you provide or that we gather and store for our records.

This is in line with the Federal Privacy Act, which includes the Private Health Sector.

How we use and disclose information collected

Appreciating the often highly sensitive nature of the information we hold of our patients, we endeavour to ensure it is secure and protected. The information is stored electronically with several levels of password protection. All employees and contractors that work with us are required to sign and comply with our comprehensive confidentiality agreement.

The personal information collected will include, but is not limited to:

• The Patient’s Name
• Address
• Contact Telephone Number
• Medicare Number
• Health Care Fund
• Current Drugs/Medication or treatment used by patient
• Current and Previous medical history
• Relevant family medical history
• Other Health service providers
• Other Medical specialist/s involved in shared management
• Copies of letters of referral and reports

This information will be shared within the practice for administrative/billing purposes and with other practitioners who provide medical and allied health services on referral. Information may be accessed:

• Directly from the patient
• Indirectly on patient’s behalf from parents/carers, as appropriate
• From other health service providers / medical specialists

It is acknowledged that information may be used or disclosed if required by law, if there is a serious threat to the health or safety of an individual or to public health and safety, for referral of patients to other health service providers or medical specialists, for the purpose of which the patient was advised and to provide the patient with the best health treatment.

Information may also be used for the purposes of billing, liaising with Government departments regarding Medicare, training, to facilitate any improvements on our services and may at times be required by our insurers.

On occasions when information is requested by Insurance Companies acting on behalf of patients or interested parties and/or employers, it will only be provided following a written consent by the patient.

Health information is kept for a minimum of 7 years for adults from the last occasion in which health service was provided to the patient. If the person is under the age of 18 then records must be kept until the person has attained 25 years of age. 

Other than what is stated within this policy we will not sell, distribute or disclose any personal information to any third party.

Website Security

We endeavour to ensure our website is as secure as possible; however, users need to be aware that the World Wide Web is not a secure medium. We take no liability for any interference or damage to a user’s computer system, software or data occurring in connection with this website. We strongly recommend users take appropriate measures to ensure their computer is protected against third party interference whilst on the web.

External links to other websites

This site may contain links to external websites. Once a user decides to click on a link and navigate away from our website the privacy policy noted here is no longer in effect. Users are recommended to familiarise themselves with the privacy policies on these websites once they browse and interact with them. Recommendations or views purported on these websites are not necessarily reflective of this practice.

If you wish to discuss this policy, lodge a complaint or access your information

If you wish to advise us of a breach of privacy, access your information, correct any of your information held by us or find out more about how we handle personal information we can be contacted via:

The Privacy Officer

Skin Specialists WA

St John of God Medical Clinic

Suite 67, Level 2 

100 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150