Privacy Statement
Northfields Psychology Clinic (NPC) is committed to providing psychological therapy and/or assessment based on the following principles:
- Services are provided by provisional psychologists (interns) under All interns and supervisory staff are required to adhere to the ethical and legal standards outlined in this statement.
- We will protect your privacy in accordance with our legal obligations and comply with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) standards, and/or professional codes and guidelines.
Privacy and confidentiality
The collection, storage, use and release of your personal information (which includes your health information) by Northfields Psychology Clinic is handled in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW).
Collection of information
Personal information collected during intake and service provision enables interns and NPC staff to make informed professional decisions regarding appropriate care.
As part of providing a psychological service, we need to collect your personal details such as name, address and contact information. We will also keep a record of what happens during sessions, any tests or questionnaires you complete, and any information received from others, such as your GP, referrer or lawyer.
There are several ways we collect your personal information. These include information you directly provide during your sessions (captured by notes, video and audio recordings) and any communications received by NPC staff such as via email, text or letters, provided either from you or from others.
You can choose whether to provide information to NPC, however if you do not wish for your personal information to be collected, we may be unable to provide service and support to you.
Secure storage of information
Personal information is stored electronically on a secure digital health management software and is only accessible to NPC interns and staff. Video and audio recordings made for the purpose of training and supervision will be captured via Zoom and stored on the intern’s secure UOW OneDrive account until the end of the care, at which time the recordings will be deleted. Secure online platforms may be used for assessment, with personal data saved to digital health management software. Any assessment information on online platforms will be deleted at the end of care. All information is retained in accordance with UOW’s records management obligations.
Confidently of information
Personal information remains confidential and will only be released to nominated individuals with your written consent, except when NPC interns or staff:
- makes a professional judgment that you or another person is at immediate risk of harm,
- has a legal obligation to do so, such as under subpoena or a search warrant issued by a court of law,
- makes a professional judgement that a child is at risk of significant harm,
- discuss your care with a supervisor as part of routine psychological services.
Interns providing services at NPC may also discuss relevant information with clinic staff and other interns as part of routine delivery of psychological services. Where this occurs, all efforts will be made to maintain confidentiality. This may include taking measures to de-identify your information.
Use of information
Personal information collected by Northfields Psychology Clinic is used exclusively for two purposes:
- For the provision of a service related to cognitive assessment and/or therapy; and
- For the evaluation of the service, through collated statistics about referral sources, nature of presenting problems, attendance durations, etc.
Request for access/amendment to client information
At any stage you may request access to your personal information held by NPC. Requests must be made in writing to the Clinic Manager. These requests will be responded to within 21 working days and an appointment will be made if necessary where clarification of any information is required.
If you have any concerns that the information collected or recorded by NPC is not correct, please discuss your concerns with an NPC staff member or your nominated intern. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that your information remains accurate, relevant and up to date.
Further information
Further information regarding the management of your personal information can be obtained from NPC or via the University’s privacy webpage. This includes your right to lodge any concern or a formal privacy complaint .
UOW’s privacy policy, located on UOW’s privacy website provides further information on UOW’s commitment to protecting your privacy.