Privacy and Confidentiality Policy

April 2025

Purpose

To ensure that participant data is protected in accordance with Australian privacy laws and NDIS regulations, ensuring confidentiality and security during telehealth sessions.

Communicate to Self-Advocate is committed to safeguarding the privacy of the personal information collected and managed about individuals. Communicate to Self-Advocate complies  with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as well as other relevant privacy laws applicable to private sector health service providers. Additionally, Communicate to Self-Advocate adheres to Speech Pathology Australia’s Code of Ethics (2010).

This Privacy Policy outlines how Communicate to Self-Advocate collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal and health information.

Communicate to Self-Advocate is a private Speech Pathology practice owned and operated by Liana Manolitsas.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff and third parties involved in handling participant information within the practice.

Policy Details

  • Confidentiality: All information shared during telehealth sessions is confidential and must be treated with the utmost respect and care.

  • Data Security: All participant information will be stored in secure, encrypted systems. Participant records must be accessed only by authorised personnel.

Procedure

How Communicate to Self-Advocate handles your personal information

Communicate to Self-Advocate’s legal obligations

To provide the healthcare services you’ve requested, Communicate to Self-Advocate will need to collect and use certain personal information. If you provide incomplete, inaccurate, or withheld information, I may not be able to deliver the services you seek effectively.

What information does Communicate to Self-Advocate collect?

I collect only the personal information necessary for the specific function or activity we are undertaking. The information collected includes, but is not limited to:

  • Name

  • Date of birth

  • Address

  • NDIS number 

  • NDIS plan dates 

  • NDIS goals 

  • Health and family history

This information is required to allow the Speech Pathologist to assess and support you appropriately.

How does Communicate to Self-Advocate collect health information?

Communicate to Self-Advocate usually collects health information directly from you. However, in some cases, I may need to gather information from a third party, such as a family member or another healthcare provider.

How does Communicate to Self-Advocate use your information?

Communicate to Self-Advocate will use your personal and health information for the purpose for which it was provided. This includes:

  • Providing Speech Pathology services

  • Managing my relationship with you

  • Communicating with you about your care

I may also use your information for purposes permitted by the Privacy Act 1988.

Who might we disclose your information to?

I may share your information with the following parties when necessary:

  1. Other health professionals involved in your care
    While your information is primarily used by the Speech Pathologist providing your care, it may sometimes be shared with other healthcare professionals, such as Occupational Therapists or Psychologists, who are involved in your treatment.

  2. The referrer
    A progress summary may be sent to the referrer (e.g., support coordinator). If you do not wish for this information to be shared, please inform me. Additionally, please notify me if the referrer’s contact details change.

  3. Relatives, guardians, or legal representatives
    Communicate to Self-Advocate may disclose information to your family members, guardians, or other close contacts unless you inform me that you do not wish for me to do so.

  4. Other uses and disclosures
    Communicate to Self-Advocate may use or disclose your information for purposes including:

    • Quality assurance, accreditation, audits, risk management, and patient surveys

    • Billing, invoicing, and account management

    • Communication with NDIS

    • Sending appointment reminders via text or email

  5. Other uses with your consent
    If you consent, I may use your information for marketing purposes or research. I will not use your personal information for these purposes without your explicit consent. Additionally, I will not disclose your information outside Australia.

Access to and correction of your health information

You have the right to access your personal and health information held by Communicate to Self-Advocate. If you believe any of your information is inaccurate, you can request amendments.

If I disagree with your request to correct your information, you may include a statement of the change you requested, which will be attached to your record.

To access or amend your health record, please contact Communicate to Self-Advocate. Please note that I may charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs associated with providing you access.

Data quality

Communicate to Self-Advocate is committed to ensuring that your personal information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. I will take reasonable steps to maintain the quality of the data I hold.

Data security

We will take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, or disclosure. This includes using secure technologies such as encryption, firewalls, and controlled access procedures.

If your information is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected, I will securely destroy or de-identify it, unless legally required to retain it.

How Communicate to Self-Advocate handles your personal information when you visit our website 

This section explains how Communicate to Self-Advocate collects and manages your personal information when you visit our website: communicatetoselfadvocate.com.au

Collection of Information

I do not collect personal information unless you provide it directly to me through an online form, email, or other communications, such as:

  • Submitting a referral

  • Sending a complaint or inquiry 

Additionally, our Internet Service Provider (ISP) may collect and log certain statistical information when you visit my website, including:

  • Your computer’s IP address

  • Date and time of visit

  • Pages accessed

  • Browser type

This data is used for website performance analysis and improvement.

Cookies

A "cookie" is a small data file stored on your computer that helps my server interact with your browser. My website uses temporary cookies that are erased once you close your browser. These cookies do not collect personally identifiable information, but they help me identify your browser and ISP.

You may configure your browser to accept or reject cookies, but note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the Communicate to Self-Advocate website.

Links to Third-Party Websites

Communicate to Self-Advocate’s website may include links to third-party websites. I am not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these external sites.

Use and Disclosure

Any personal information collected through my website will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.


Complaints about Privacy Issues

If you have concerns or complaints about this Privacy Policy, or if you believe Communicate to Self-Advocate has mishandled your information, please contact me (Liana) using the contact details below. I will review your complaint and respond promptly.

Email: liana@communicatetoselfadvocate.com

Mobile: 0494 309 653


Review and Amendments

This policy will be reviewed annually or when required by changes in legislation or technology. Participants will be notified of any amendments.