Eastern Health respects and is committed to protecting the privacy of every individual. We are required by law to ensure that all personal and health information pertaining to patients and staff, remains confidential. Eastern Health complies with all legislation relating to privacy and confidentiality including the Health Services Act 1988 (Vic), Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic.), Freedom of Information 1982 (Vic), and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). The existing provisions of the Mental Health Act still apply.
Eastern Health cannot use or disclose personal or health information without the consent of the individual, except if it is required, authorised or permitted under law.
Staff are bound by a strict code of confidentiality.
For more details about Privacy, including translations into Community languages click here.
Guide to Privacy Law in Victoria
The Health Records Act 2001 (the Act) creates a framework to protect the privacy of individuals' health information. It regulates the collection and handling of health information. "The Act:
- gives individuals a legally enforceable right of access to health information about them that is contained in records held in Victoria by the private sector; and
- establishes Health Privacy Principles (HPPs) that will apply to health information collected and handled in Victoria by the Victorian public sector and the private sector.
The access regime and the HPPs are designed to protect privacy and promote patient autonomy, whilst also ensuring safe and effective service delivery, and the continued improvement of health services."
For more information on the Health Records Act click here.
Legislative Requirements
