Health Information
Health Information Privacy
Outlined below is how your health information is stored by Herne Bay Medical Centre, along with your rights to access and correct any health information we hold.
Access to my health information
I have the right to access (and have corrected) my health information under Rules 6 and 7 of the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.
Patient Enrolment Information
The information I have provided on the Practice Enrolment Form will be:
held by the practice
used by the Ministry of Health to give me a National Health Index (NHI) number, or update any changes
sent to the PHO and Ministry of Health to obtain subsidised funding on my behalf
used to determine eligibility to receive publicly-funded services. Information may be compared with other government agencies but only when permitted under the Privacy Act.
Health Information
Members of my health team may:
add to my health record during any services provided to me and use that information to provide appropriate care
share relevant health information to other health professionals who are directly involved in my care
Audit
In the case of financial audits, my health information may be reviewed by an auditor for checking a financial claim made by the practice, but only according to the terms and conditions of section 22G of the Health Act (or any subsequent applicable Act). I may be contacted by the auditor to check that services have been received. If the audit involves checking on health matters, an appropriately qualified health care practitioner will view the health records.
Health Programmes
Health data relevant to a programme in which I am enrolled (e.g. Breast Screening, Immunisation, Diabetes) may be sent to the PHO or the external health agency managing this programme.
Other Uses of Health Information
Health information which will not include my name but may include my National Health Index Identifier (NHI) may be used by health agencies such as the District Health Board, Ministry of Health or PHO for the following purposes, as long as it is not used or published in a way that can identify me:
health service planning and reporting
monitoring service quality
payment
Research
My health information may be used for health research, but only if this has been approved by an Ethics Committee and will not be used or published in a way that can identify me.
Except as listed above, I understand that details about my health status or the services I have received will remain confidential within the medical practice unless I give specific consent for this information to be communicated.