South Gippsland Hospital (SGH) respects the privacy of all individuals and is committed to protecting the confidentiality of personal, health, and service-related information. We take our responsibility seriously and handle information in a secure and transparent manner.

We manage this information in accordance with applicable state and federal legislation, including:

• Federal Privacy Act 1988
• Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic)
• Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
• Health Services Act 1988 (Vic)
• Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic)
• Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic)
• Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)
• Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic)
• Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)

In addition, all patient, client, business, and health service–related information is managed in accordance with the Health Privacy Principles, which are designed to protect privacy and promote individual autonomy.

1. Open and transparent management of personal information
SGH manages personal information in a lawful and transparent manner, in accordance with relevant Victorian and Commonwealth privacy legislation.

2. Anonymity and pseudonymity
Where lawful and practicable, individuals may choose not to identify themselves or to use a pseudonym when accessing services.

3. Collection of personal information
SGH collects only the personal and health information necessary to provide care and treatment, and to meet administrative and legal requirements.
Access to confidential information is limited to authorised staff directly involved in a patient’s care and treatment.

4. Unsolicited personal information
If SGH receives personal information that it would not otherwise collect, and it is lawful to do so, the information will be destroyed or de-identified as soon as practicable.

5. Notification of collection
Where reasonable, SGH collects personal information directly from the individual. In some cases, information may be provided by third parties. In these circumstances, SGH will take reasonable steps to inform the individual.

6. Use and disclosure of personal information
Personal information is used or disclosed only for the purpose of providing care and treatment, or for purposes directly related to care, including quality and safety activities.

7. Direct marketing
SGH does not use personal information for direct marketing purposes.

8. Website data collection
When you visit the SGH website, we may collect limited information to help improve your experience. This may include:

• Non-identifiable information such as browser type, device, pages visited, and time spent on the site
• Information you choose to provide via online forms (such as contact or enquiry forms)

This information is used to maintain and improve website performance, respond to enquiries, and support service delivery. SGH does not sell or share personal information collected through the website for commercial purposes.

9. Cookies
The SGH website uses cookies to improve user experience. Cookies collect anonymous, non-personal information to help analyse website usage and improve functionality.

10. Cross-border disclosure
Where necessary for patient care, SGH may transfer information outside Victoria. This will only occur with appropriate consent and where the receiving organisation is subject to comparable privacy obligations.

11. Identifiers
SGH assigns identifiers to individuals only where reasonably necessary to carry out its functions efficiently.

12. Quality of information
SGH takes reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, and up to date.

13. Security of personal information
Personal information, whether electronic or hard copy, is securely stored and accessible only to authorised personnel. Safeguards are in place to protect against loss, unauthorised access, or misuse.

14. Access to personal information
Individuals may request access to their personal or health information by submitting a written request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).

15. Correction of personal information
SGH takes reasonable steps to correct personal information where it is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. Individuals may request corrections, and staff will confirm and update details at each interaction where possible.

For further information about SGH’s Privacy Policy, please telephone 03 5683 9777.