Policies

Bondi Paediatrics is a private-billing clinic. We update our fees from time-to-time so please contact us for the most up-to-date information.

Payment is due at the time of consultation and the Medicare rebate (where eligible) can be processed at the same time. 

We do not have the capacity to provide scripts and forms/letters outside of your consultation time. In such instances, please contact us and a fee may be applied to complete these. 

Cancellations with less than 1 business day's notice may incur a fee (at the clinic's discretion) which will need to be addressed prior to booking a further appointment.

At Bondi Paediatrics, our focus is on the medical, emotional and psychological well being of the children we care for. Amongst the children who attend the clinic, many come from separated families. Conflict and communication breakdown within families can limit collaboration with health care providers and impact optimal treatment outcomes for the child. The purpose of this policy is to outline your clinician’s philosophy to ensure that the best interests of your child are always prioritised.

• It is an expectation that separated parents work together respectfully and cooperatively, regarding the care of their child.  Decisions regarding a child’s medical treatment (e.g. whether to commence medication or start intervention therapy) should be made jointly by both parents wherever possible.
• It is the parents’ obligation to provide the Reception team with a copy of any relevant legal documents or court order.
• Either parent or legal guardian can:
  • schedule an appointment with their child,
  • be present at their appointment
  • and/or be sent a copy of their reports

unless there is a court order restricting their involvement in their child’s care. If this is the case, please ensure you provide these court orders at your first visit to the clinic.

• If the appointment is made by one parent, it is the responsibility of this parent (not Bondi Paediatrics) to inform the other parent, invite them to attend, and provide feedback to them.
• Clinic reports will be sent to the parent who attends the appointment and it is the responsibility of that parent to forward to other parent. We do not have the capacity to provide separate feedback to each parent but welcome both parents to attend appointments and will provide copies of correspondence to each parent, if specifically requested. Where a parent who did not attend requests specific or separate feedback, they will need to arrange a separate consultation to discuss with their child's clinician and a fee will apply. 
• Payment is to be made on the day of the child’s appointment.  If there is legal agreement that requires the other parent to pay all or part of the treatment costs, it is the attending parent’s responsibility to settle account and collect reimbursement from the other parent.
• Where there is significant conflict, the doctor reserves the right to request the court orders, obtain signed consent from both parents, or limit their services until dispute has been resolved.  If necessary, your doctor may discharge a family from their services if the conflict is disruptive to the clinic or impedes the care of the child.
• We do not take referrals where the purpose of the assessment is to generate information for legal decision making around custody issues of parental separation. 

We always try our best to accommodate all family circumstances.  Please help us to provide the best care for your children by providing all information regarding your family situation at your first appointment with us.

Introduction

We are committed to protecting the privacy of patient information we collect and to handling your personal information in a responsible manner in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, cyber security legislation and relevant state and territory privacy legislation (referred to as privacy legislation). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and disclose your personal information, how you may access that information and how you may seek the correction of any information. It also explains how you may make a complaint if you are concerned there has been a breach of privacy legislation. the practice. From time to time we may make changes to our policy, processes and systems relating to how we handle your personal information. We will update this Privacy Policy to reflect any changes. Those changes will be available on our website and in this Privacy Policy also addresses the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies within our practice 

Information Collection

When you first attend Bondi Paediatrics, we will ask you to provide information (for example, contact details). This means that you are providing consent for the practitioners and staff to gather, access and use your personal health information to facilitate the delivery of healthcare to you/your child. You/ your child's personal information will only be accessed by practitioners and staff who need to do so for the purpose providing healthcare to you/your child. We will seek your express consent before using your/your child's information for any purpose not directly related to your/your child's healthcare.

We collect personal and sensitive health information that is necessary for the provision of healthcare. This may include, but is not limited to: 

• personal identifiers such as name, date of birth, address, and contact details 

• medical history, clinical notes, diagnostic test results, and treatment plans 

• Medicare and private health insurance details 

• information generated or processed through AI-enabled tools used in clinical or administrative contexts. 

We primarily collect information directly from patients. In certain circumstances, and with appropriate authority, we may also obtain information from third parties such as other treating practitioners, hospitals, schools, or diagnostic service providers and the My Health Record. In limited situations, we may also collect information from other people, such as your relatives or friends.

We may use or disclose your personal and health information for the following purposes: 

• to provide medical treatment and care, including to communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your care. We are obligated to provide correspondence to your referring doctor. 

• for administrative functions including billing and compliance with legal obligations 

• compliance with our legal obligations including mandatory reporting of any child protection concerns. 

Communication

We will communicate with or about you using the following methods: SMS/text messaging, email, secure messaging, encrypted messages. This may include your personal and health information. We do not disclose personal information to overseas recipients unless it is necessary for the provision of care and appropriate safeguards are in place, in accordance with Australian Privacy Principle 8.

Retention of Information

Information is retained in accordance with applicable legal and professional obligations. Information no longer required for the purposes it was collected and the minimum period for retention has passed, will be destroyed in a safe and responsible manner as required under privacy legislation. Retention of medical records is for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last entry into the patient record unless the patient is a child in which case the record must be kept until the patient attains the age of 25 years of age.

Our patient records are maintained in a secure cloud-based platform. The information recorded is protected by an individual password system and is accessible only to the authorised personnel.

Paper based information is no longer required is destroyed by shredding.

Responsible use of AI

Bondi Paediatrics may use AI technologies to enhance clinical decision-making, streamline administrative processes, and improve patient engagement. 

Examples of AI applications include: 

• automated transcription of clinical consultations 

• AI-assisted triage and appointment scheduling tools 

• AI use of chatbots. 

Governance of AI Use: 

• We use AI tools in a manner consistent with the APPs and relevant ethical standards. 

• Personal information is not used to train AI models unless express consent has been obtained. 

• All outputs generated by AI systems are subject to human review and clinical oversight. 

• No automated decision-making tool is used in this practice.

For further details, please see:

https://www.lyrebirdhealth.com/au/patient

If you do not wish your doctor to use an AI scribe tool, please inform them at the start of the consultation.

Accuracy of Information

We will take reasonable steps to ensure your personal information is accurate, complete, up to date and relevant.  We implement robust technical and administrative measures to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include: 

• secure electronic medical record systems with role-based access controls 

• regular staff training on privacy and data protection 

• having a robust cybersecurity framework  

• regular audits and updates to our software and cybersecurity framework. 

Access to Information

You have the right to access your/your child's personal information. To request access or corrections, please contact our reception team in writing. We will respond within 5-7 business days. A small fee may apply to cover administrative costs (but you will not be charged for making the request). We will respond to such requests in accordance with applicable privacy principles and legislation and we reserve the right to refuse you access to your personal information as permitted under the Privacy Act. For example, we may refuse access if your request would pose a serious threat to another’s health, would unreasonably impact on another, or is frivolous or vexatious, or where your request relates to examination marking cards or reports.