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Policies

Code of Conduct

 

I comply with the General Code of Conduct for General Health Services. This code is set out in Schedule 2 of the Health Complaints Act 2016 (Vic). I  also adhere to the National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers.  This code was developed in April 2015 by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council and sets out minimum standards of behaviour and professional practice for health care workers such as naturopaths.  

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  They include the following principles:

  • I provide health services that are safe and ethical.

  • I obtain consent prior to providing health services.

  • I respect your right to make informed choices in relation to the health services that you receive.

  • I communicate and co-operate with other health service providers.

  • I report serious concerns about the conduct of other health service providers.

  • I take appropriate and timely steps to minimise harm to my clients if an adverse event occurs.

  • I take precautions to control infection and the transmission of infectious medical conditions.

  • I do not provide misleading information or misrepresent the health services that I can provide.

  • I do not financially exploit my clients.

  • I do not engage in sexual misconduct.

  • I do not engage in any other inappropriate close personal, physical or emotional relationships with my clients.

  • I comply with relevant privacy laws including the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

  • I maintain accurate, legible and up to date clinical records for each client and ensure that they are stored securely and not subject to unauthorised access.

  • I hold appropriate indemnity insurance in relation to my practice.

A copy of the General Code of Conduct for General Health Services can be found here: General Code of Conduct.

More information about the National code of conduct can be found here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-workforce-regulation/national-code-of-conduct-for-healthcare-workers

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Code of Ethics
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I am voluntarily registered with the Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association Inc (ANPA).

As a member of ANPA, I must also comply with the ANPA Code of Ethics. This includes the following additional principles:

  • I maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and duty of care to my clients.

  • I respect the religious, spiritual, political and social view of my clients.

  • I behave with courtesy, respect, dignity and discretion.

  • I maintain a competent, sympathetic, hopeful and positive attitude.

A copy of the Code of Ethics can be found here: ANPA Code of Ethics.

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If you have concerns…

If you are not satisfied with my health service, please contact me. I take complaints seriously and aim to resolve them quickly and fairly. I can be contacted vie email at healthteachingsnaturopathy@gmail.com. If you remain dissatisfied with my response, you may contact The Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA) or the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC).

To contact ANPA, the written concern may be sent via email to admin@anpa.asn.au or to the mail address:

ANPA Secretary
PO Box 5106 Bentleigh East, Vic 3165 Australia

The HCC responds to complaints about health services and the handling of health information in Victoria. Their service is free, confidential and impartial. To lodge a complaint with the HCC:

  • Fill out a complaint form online at hcc.vic.gov.au or

  • Phone 1300 582 113 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday to discuss your complaint.

Privacy Policy

I adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Privacy Principles in the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). These govern the way in which I collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

 

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

 

A copy of the Health Privacy Principles may be obtained from the Health Complaints Commissioner.

 

What is Personal Information?

 

Personal information means information or an opinion about a person that can be identified, whether that information is true or not and whether that information is recorded or not. It includes names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.

 

Sensitive information is a type of personal information. It includes a person’s health information, race or ethnic origin, religious belief, and sexual orientation and practices.

 

Health information is considered personal information and sensitive information. It includes information or an opinion about a person’s health, a person’s wishes about the future provision of health services, or a health service provided to a person.

 

Collection of Personal Information

 

I collect your personal information for the primary purpose of providing my services to you.  

 

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, I will collect your Personal Information only from you. This will be via an Intake form, face to face discussions, telephone conversations, and/or email communications.

 

However, in some circumstances, I may also collect your personal information from authorised representatives, other health services, and other sources. This will usually be with your consent or where it may be necessary or permitted by law. In these circumstances, I will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to me by the third party.  

 

Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

 

I will use your personal information to provide my services to you.

 

I may disclose your personal information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such disclosure. For example, I may need to share some of your details to my insurance company for insurance purposes.  

I may also disclose your personal information to trusted third parties who I engage to process and store your personal information.

I may also disclose your Personal Information in some other circumstances such as when you consent to the disclosure of your Personal Information, or the disclosure of your Personal Information is required or authorised by law.

I will never sell your personal information to third parties.

I will use all reasonable efforts to make you aware of the disclosure of your personal information.

 

Storage and Security of Personal Information

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Your personal information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. I follow reasonable technical and management practices to help protect the confidentiality, security and integrity of data stored on my system.

When your personal information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, I will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information will be stored in client files which will be kept by me for a minimum of 7 years.

Maintaining the quality to your personal information

 

I will endeavour to ensure that personal information obtained is complete, accurate, up-to-date, and relevant.

Updating and correcting your personal information

You have the right to request that your personal information be updated or corrected. These requests can be made if you believe that the personal information that I have about you is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading.

These requests will be processed in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Accessing your personal information

 

You also have the right to request access to the personal information I hold about you. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact me at healthteachingsnaturopathy@gmail.com.

In order to protect your personal information, I may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

In certain circumstances, I may refuse to allow you to access your personal information. This may occur in circumstances where providing you with access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of other individuals. I may also refuse to provide you with access where it would pose a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any person.

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Privacy Policy Enquiries

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If you have any queries about this Privacy Policy, please contact me at healthteachingsnaturopathy@gmail.com.  I will respond within 30 days.

Privacy Complaints

 

If you wish to make a complaint about how I have handled your personal information, please contact me healthteachingsnaturopathy@gmail.com

 

I will take your concerns seriously, and work with you to constructively address the issues that you raise.

 

If you are not satisfied with my response, or if you do not want to make a complaint to me directly, you may to contact the Commonwealth Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner at www.hcc.vic.gov.au

Cancellation Policy

Missed and Cancelled Consultation Policy

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My goal is to provide timely and quality health care to all of my clients.

I understand that sometimes unexpected things occur and that you may need to cancel or re-schedule your consultation. In these circumstances, I request that you please comply with this policy:

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Appointment cancellation

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If you need to cancel a consultation, I require you to provide me with at least 24-hours’ notice.  This advanced notice may enable another client to access that appointment time.

If you cancel your consultation with less than 24 hours’ notice, I will charge 50% of the consultation fee. This fee will be charged and payable on the day of the cancellation.

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Missed consultation

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If you miss your consultation without providing any notice, I will charge 50% of the consultation fee. This fee will be charged and payable on the day of the consultation.

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