Privacy Policy
Commitment
Your privacy is important to the MDA National Group. Each entity forming part of the MDA National Group supports and is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act.
The MDA National Group.
This policy applies to the Medical Defence Association of Western Australia (Incorporated) ARBN 055 801 771 which trades as MDA National (MDA National) and to all of MDA Nationals subsidiaries including MDA National Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 56 058 271 417 (MDA National Insurance). The MDA National Group is located and can be contacted at the addresses and contact points detailed at the end of this policy.
Whose personal information do we collect?
This policy outlines how the MDA National Group collects, discloses and manages personal information. Personal information is information or recorded opinions relating to and which can identify an individual. The type of information we may collect and hold includes (but is not limited to) personal information about:
- current, past and potential Members of MDA National (Members);
- clients or former clients of MDA National Insurance;
- staff of Members or clients;
- patients of Members and clients;
- any individual connected with a claim against our Members or clients or past Members or clients;
- MDA National Group suppliers and their employees; and
- prospective employees and contractors.
What kinds of personal information do we collect?
In general, the type of personal information the MDA National Group collects and holds includes (but is not limited to):
- names, addresses, contact details, qualifications, practice details and claims history of Members and clients;
- in the event of an incident report made to us, relevant opinions or determinations in relation to our Members and clients;
- names, addresses, dates of birth, medical details and other information about patients and others who are involved in an incident which has or may give rise to a claim or investigation against our Members or clients; and
- at times, the names, addresses, dates of birth, medical details and other information about relatives of the patients, of our Members or of our clients.
Why do we collect personal information?
The MDA National Group collects personal information in order to conduct its business of providing assistance, education and insurance to Members and clients.
In many cases, if personal information we request is not provided, we may not be able to supply the relevant service to Members and clients. If you choose not to provide us with requested information in any particular circumstance we will tell you any consequences of failing to supply us with that information.
How do we collect personal information?
The MDA National Group collects personal information in a number of ways:
- Personal information provided directly: The MDA National Group will generally collect personal information by way of forms filled out by Members and clients or staff of Members and clients, face-to-face meetings, interviews, telephone conversations, correspondence including e-mails and our website.
- Personal information provided by other people: In some circumstances the MDA National Group may be provided with personal information about an individual from a third party, for example, medical records provided by our Members and clients about their patients or Member and client information provided though a broker.
How might we use personal information?
In general, we use personal information to:
- provide assistance and insurance to Members and clients;
- provide educational material and training to Members and clients;
- act on behalf of our Members and clients in respect of claims or investigations made against them;
- communicate with Members, clients and potential Members and clients;
- obtain and maintain reinsurance;
- administer government schemes such as the Premium Support Scheme, the Run-Off Cover Scheme and the UMP Support Scheme; and
help us manage and enhance our services.
When the MDA National Group collects personal information for a specific purpose it will not use that information other than for that purpose or for such related purposes as a reasonable person would expect it to be used for without consent of the relevant person.
We treat personal information as strictly confidential.
The MDA National Group may use personal information about Members and clients to supply them with information about services and products or related marketing material.
To whom might we disclose personal information?
We may disclose personal information to:
- companies, firms or individuals who assist us in the administration of our business or in providing services or who perform functions on our behalf, including but not limited to reinsurers, insurance brokers, medical specialists, actuaries, auditors, accountants, legal advisers, IT contractors, network providers and mailing houses;
- staff of our Members or clients who assist in the running of the practices of our Members or clients;
- courts and tribunals;
- government departments and bodies where we are obliged by law to disclose this information;
- government departments and bodies that we have informed you we will disclose information to; and
- anyone else authorized by you to disclose the information.
We take precautions to ensure those third parties are aware of the MDA National Groups privacy obligations and are required to comply with them.
We may also collect personal information from these organisations and individuals, and deal with that information in accordance with this Policy.
Personal information collected by one entity within the MDA National Group may be disclosed to other entities within the MDA National Group.
Sending information overseas.
The MDA National Group may disclose personal information to reinsurers located outside Australia. We take reasonable steps to ensure that such recipients respect your privacy by abiding by the National Privacy Principles or equivalent privacy laws.
How secure is the personal information?
The MDA National Group takes reasonable steps to protect personal information held from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure, for example by use of physical security and restricted access to electronic records through use of passwords.
How is personal information accessed?
The MDA National Group endeavours to ensure that the personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date. We encourage you to contact us in order to update any personal information we hold about you.
You may seek access to the personal information the MDA National Group holds about you by contacting our Privacy Officer. You must put your request in writing and we will ask you to verify your identity and to specify what information you require. We may charge you a fee and for our costs for providing access. We will advise you of the likely cost in advance. We will, so far as we are able, provide the requested information within 15 working days of receiving your written request.
We will not provide personal information if, as is permitted under the Privacy Act, your request is frivolous or vexatious or in our reasonable opinion, to do so would endanger the health or safety of another person.
Does this policy apply to MDA National’s web site?
This policy applies to personal information collected through our web site.
We do not make an attempt to identify visitors to our web site except where you enter your details specifically to supply or obtain information or to otherwise communicate with us.
As a convenience to our web site visitors, we sometimes provide links to other web sites. These sites are not under the control of the MDA National Group, and as such, we are not responsible for any personal information that may be collected through your use of those web sites.
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint about the MDA National Groups privacy practices we request that you first contact the Privacy Officer with the details of your complaint. The MDA National Group undertakes that your complaint will be investigated diligently and our response provided to you as soon as reasonably practicable.
However you have the right to complain to the office of the Privacy Commissioner if you feel that we have not handled your complaint adequately. A complaint to the Privacy Commissioner must be made in writing, but staff of the Privacy Commissioner can assist and you can contact them by ringing the Privacy Commissioner's hotline service on 1300 363 992. You may also obtain information about the complaint process from the Privacy Commissioners website at www.privacy.gov.au or by writing to:
Director of Compliance
Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner
GPO Box 5218 Sydney, NSW 2001
How to contact us or to obtain a copy of this policy
The most current version of this Policy can be obtained by contacting our Privacy Officer. If you have any questions about privacy-related issues please contact:
The Privacy Officer
E-mail: ktyndall@mdanational.com.au
Phone: (08) 6461 3400
Facsimile: (08) 9415 1492
Postal address: PO Box 1557 Subiaco WA 6904