CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

Any information that you provide will be treated with respect and will remain highly confidential. There are, however, exceptions to confidentiality whereby a health professional (HP)must legally disclose information about a patient/client. These exceptions relate to:

1. To obtain a second opinion: A HP may wish to discuss the patient’s/client’s case with other HPs if she feels the disclosure is necessary. In this case, the patient/client will give authorisation to disclose sensitive information.

2. Wanting to harm: If a patient/client reveals that they intend to harm themselves or someone else, the HP has a duty of care to report to appropriate authorities.

3. Child abuse: A child’s wellbeing could be in danger if marks, bruises, or injuries are visible. The HP may need to breach patient/client confidentiality to protect the child.

4. Public health crisis: HPs can disclose personal health information to the least amount necessary to protect the public from a health crisis.

5. Elderly neglect or abuse: HPs have the authority to disclose information to family or authorities without patient/client consent if they suspect neglect or abuse has occurred, is occurring.