Privacy Statement
Introduction
The Palliative Care Information Service is funded by Queensland Health to provide information and emotional support to Queenslanders affected by terminal illness including; individuals, families, students and clinicians. In order to perform this task efficiently, it is essential that certain information is collected from its callers.
This information is used for several purposes:
- To provide information to Queensland Health about service deficiencies
- To assist in determining strategies for future promotional activities such as community service announcements in areas that may not be aware of palliative care services
- To be used for informal research purposes in collaboration with other palliative care organisations and educational facilities
- To assist in the training of its staff
- To assist the process of quality assurance
This information is not used for:
- Commercial reasons
- Supply to a third party for commercial reasons
- Pure research purposes
Type of Information Collected
The Palliative Care Information Service collects very basic information about its callers only. In most cases information about either the caller or the palliative client involved may include:
- The name of the caller or the palliative client or both
- The address, and telephone number of the caller or the palliative client or both
- The relationship between the caller and the palliative client
- The age and gender of the caller and the palliative client or both
- The illness involved
- Other clinical information that is necessary to provide an appropriate level of service
- The service providers that the caller has been linked or referred to
- Information regarding the callers level of satisfaction with the service provided
- Significantly important details provided during the call
Collection of Information
Information is gathered during the course of the conversations between staff members and callers, or when staff ask specific questions. If the call has been recorded, the information may be collected when the call is reviewed at a later date.
Information is collected in a similar fashion when service users visit or e-mail the Palliative Care Information Service.
Information Storage
Sensitive and personal information is stored on a secure database, and password protected. Statistical information is stored within a software program that has been purpose built.
Sound files from recorded calls are stored in digital format on the Palliative Care Information Service server for three months under password protection. After three months these files are burnt to disk and kept indefinitely in a secure area.
Access to Information
Access to caller information is only available to the staff operating the service and their management. In some circumstances information may be provided to government bodies who may request it, in keeping with the Privacy Act (1988).
In the event that either the caller or the community are considered at risk, a risk assessment is performed. If the risk is considered to be significant, confidential information may be disclosed to third parties such as clinicians, other health service agencies or the police.
Cookies
The Palliative Care Information Service website creates no cookies. Cookies are generally only created if there is a search engine employed by the website or if some other similar interactive function is engaged.
E-mail Information
E-mail enquiries include personal information about service users, including the email address of the service user, and the associated text. For quality assurance purposes, a copy of this information is stored by the Palliative Care Information Service.
Access to your own Information
Access to your personal information is made possible under the Freedom of Information Act (1982), this includes digital voice recordings. In a situation where such access is required, the request should be made in writing to the Services Manager, PCIS, PO Box 2020 Windsor Queensland 4030. In order to cover administrative costs, a fee is charged for this service. Sufficient identification must also accompany this request. For further information, please contact the project manager on (07) 3632 8302.