Health information is protected by the Privacy Act 1988 (and state health records laws) and by professional obligations in the Medical Board's code of conduct.
You may share information:
- With the patient's consent.
- With others directly involved in their care (reasonably expected by the patient).
- When required by law: notifiable diseases, mandatory child abuse reporting, court orders, some driving and firearms laws depending on state.
- When there is a serious threat to the life, health or safety of an individual or the public.
Practical points:
- Do not discuss a patient with their family, employer or police without consent unless an exception applies.
- An adult patient's information is not shared with a spouse or parents by default. This often surprises families from cultures where family decision-making is the norm.
- Use a professional interpreter rather than a family member for sensitive discussions.
- My Health Record is a national electronic summary; patients can set access controls.