Circle Home Care Information Collection, Use, and Disclosure Policy

Purpose   

By interacting with our website you consent Circle Home Care Pty Ltd t/as Circle Home Care (ACN: 674272756) to collect, store, use, and disclose your personal and health information necessary for quality care, regulatory compliance, and safe management. We handle all information in line with our Privacy and Confidentiality Policy and Procedure, ensuring it aligns with Australian privacy laws and Aged Care standards. Our commitment is to uphold your privacy rights and meet our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). 

Section 1: Collection of Information 

Circle Home Care collects only the information required to meet your care needs and comply with relevant laws. We are committed to collecting only the minimum amount of personal information necessary to provide services effectively and comply with applicable regulations.

Collected information includes: 

• Personal Information: Full name, address, contact details, date of birth, next of kin, and Power of Attorney details, cultural/religious preferences. 

• Health and Medical Information: Health conditions, care needs, support services required, medical records, care plans, allergies, mental health status, advanced care directives. 

• Financial Information: Information needed for financial obligations and government reporting. 

We may also collect additional information as required by law, and all information is obtained with your consent wherever possible. 

All collected information is securely stored on our M365 SharePoint system, accessible only to designated personnel with restricted access rights. 

You have the right to withdraw consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information at any time, except where required by law or to fulfil contractual obligations related to your care.

Section 2: Use of Information 

Circle Home Care Pty Ltd uses your information solely to support your care needs, such as: 

• Developing, implementing, and reviewing your personalised Care and Service Plan. 

• Coordinating with healthcare providers and allied services to ensure safe and effective integrated care. 

• Administering financial records and obligations, including government reporting where necessary. 

All data handling is compliant with the Privacy Act 1988, Aged Care Act, and My Health Records Act as required. 

Section 3: Disclosure of Information 

Your information may be disclosed under strict conditions to: 

• Healthcare Providers: To ensure accurate and effective delivery of care. 

• Government Bodies: Where necessary for compliance with funding or regulatory requirements, such as audits. 

• Emergency Services: If urgent assistance is needed to protect your health or safety. 

• Advisory Bodies: For assessments if consented, with the option to opt-out. 

Financial information is shared only as required for service billing, compliance, and reporting purposes and is not disclosed to other parties unless critical to care delivery. 

We may engage third-party contractors or service providers to assist with aspects of service delivery. These third parties are contractually bound to comply with our privacy policies and applicable privacy laws.

Section 4: Data Security, Storage and Breech Protocols 

Your information is stored and managed in compliance with our Information Management and Privacy and Confidentiality policies. Access is restricted and controlled, using multi-factor authentication and secure logins. If a data breach occurs, Circle Home Care follows strict reporting and response procedures to mitigate impacts, notifying affected individuals and regulatory authorities if needed. 

We follow a strict retention policy to ensure information is only retained as long as necessary and is safely disposed of thereafter. 

Section 5: Right to Access and Correct Information 

You have the right to request access to your information or to correct inaccuracies. If you believe any of your details are outdated or incorrect, please contact us at info@circlehomecare.com.au   

Section 6: Review and Updates 

This policy is reviewed annually to ensure compliance with the latest privacy laws and standards. Changes are communicated through official Circle Home Care channels including email communication to clients and are published on our website. 

Circle Home Care is dedicated to robust information management practices that protect client and employee privacy, meet regulatory standards, and foster a secure environment for data integrity and operational success.