Privacy Manual for Health Information

Summary

This is the third edition of the NSW Health Privacy Manual, now titled NSW Health Privacy Manual for Health Information. This edition has incorporated changes in legislation which impact on the management of personal health information within NSW Health, notably:

• the Public Health Act 2010
• the Mental Health Act 2007
• the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Chapter 9A, the Coroners Act 2009 (Domestic Violence Death Review Team)
• changes to the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998
• introduction of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009

The NSW Health Privacy Manual for Health Information provides operational guidance to the legislative obligations imposed by the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. The manual outlines procedures to support compliance with the Act in any activity that involves personal health information.

If you any questions regarding the application of this policy manual please contact the Privacy Contact Officer in your health service.

If you have any feedback relating to this policy manual please contact the Privacy Officer, NSW Ministry of Health.

Sections

• Sections 1 to 6 - Various
• Section 7 - Collecting personal health information
• Section 8 - Anonymity
• Section 9 - Retention, security and protection
• Section 10 - Accuracy
• Section 11 - Using and disclosing personal health information
• Section 12 - Patient access and amendment
• Section 13 - Miscellaneous
• Section 14 - Complaints handling
• Section 15 - Common privacy issues
• Section 16 - Electronic health information management systems
• Appendices 1 and 2 - List of relevant policies and relevant laws
• Appendix 3 - Pro forma privacy undertaking
• Appendix 4 - Pro forma privacy notices
• Appendix 5 - Pro forma privacy leaflet for patients
• Appendix 6 - Privacy information leaflet for staff
• Appendix 7 - Consent guide for medico-legal requests
• Index