Your medical record is a confidential document. We maintain the security of personal health information at all times and ensure that it is only available to authorised members of staff in compliance with the Privacy Act. Our privacy policy requires that any information regarding patients may not be disclosed verbally, in writing or in electronic form, except for strictly authorised use within the patient care context at the Practice or as legally directed.

• Requesting a copy of your medical records
  Patients may request copies of their results or medical records. This information is only given once the consent of the Doctor has been obtained and the patient has been verified following our patient verification check by 3 identifiers.​

• Storage of medical records
  Patient records are securely stored by the practice.  Medical records will be kept for a minimum of 7 years following the last visit, or until the patient has reached the age of 25.

• Sharing your medical records
  Doctors may be legally bound to disclose your information in certain situations such as medical defence purposes.  Records must be disclosed under court orders, subpoenas, search warrants and Coroner’s court cases.To provide continuity of care, the information we collect about you may be shared with other health care providers (hospitals, doctors and specialists). Only relevant information will be provided, no additional unnecessary data is given.As we are dedicated to improvement and patient quality care, at times Newtown Medical Centre may participate in research programs and patients may be asked to be involved. Patient consent will be requested and recorded and only information relevant to the research project will be released.

• Transferring your medical records
  Patients may wish to transfer their medical records to another Practice.  We will only release medical records to the new Practice when a signed authority requesting release is received detailing the patient’s name, DOB and address.  Medical records will only be sent via registered post in paper form or on disc directly to the new Practice.  An acknowledgement fax is also recorded following receipt by the other medical clinic.

If you would like any more information on our privacy policy, or to speak with someone about the medical records Newtown Medical Centre has for you, please phone our receptionists on (03) 5221 5044.