Privacy Policy

Protecting your privacy

The Black Dog Institute is committed to protecting your privacy and the privacy of personal information provided to us. We comply with the relevant Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth). This policy outlines how we manage privacy protection of your personal information.

The Institute is also actively involved clinically in the Mood Disorders Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney.

What personal information do we collect and why do we need and use it?

To enable us to fulfil our responsibilities via research, education and training, clinical services and population health approaches, we need to collect a broad range of personal information from our clients, prospective clients, patients, prospective patients, relevant health service providers, other parties to a matter and suppliers.

This personal information may include sensitive information as well as health information.

How do we collect the personal information?

Information may be collected in person, in writing, by telephone, through our website or through the Black Dog Clinical Services information System website and by other electronic communication channels. We collect this information through our staff and through our contracted agents and other service providers. Wherever practicable, we will ask you for the information directly.

We may need to obtain personal information from others to ensure that we are fully informed in relation to the issues that we need to address.

When accepting a request, instructions or involvement, we require an undertaking that personal information provided has been collected in accordance with the Privacy Act and that they will similarly protect the privacy of any personal information the Black Dog Institute supplies to them.

We collect personal information when recruiting staff or when people approach us expressing an interest in working with us. This information may be collected through material submitted to us, interviews and discussions with the person concerned or others nominated by that person.

We also collect personal information through events that we hold or are involved in, such as seminars, workshops and other promotional activities.

To keep you up to date with our services, publications and other resources, we may place you on a mailing list. At any time, if you no longer wish to receive this information just let us know and we will remove your details from the mailing list.

Who will see or have access to your personal information?

Unless we are required to provide your personal information to others by law, by court order or to investigate suspected fraud or other unlawful activity, your information will only be seen or used by persons working in or for The Black Dog Institute.

These people will include our own clinicians, administrative staff, research assistants and contract researchers.

Some personal information may be shared between the Black Dog Institute and the Mood Disorders Unit, where the use of the information is directly related to the purpose for which it was collected and within the reasonable expectations of the individual concerned.

We may disclose personal information as required or permitted by law or with your prior consent.

Security of Information

Our information systems and files are kept secured from unauthorised access and our staff and contracted agents and service providers have been informed of the importance we place on protecting your privacy and their role in helping us to do so. Information will be stored and disposed of in a secure environment, which may only be accessed by authorized personnel.

Although we will endeavour to protect your personal information, we are unable to guarantee that any information you transmit to us over the internet is 100% secure. Any information you transmit to us over the internet is conducted at your own risk.

What if I want to check what personal information you hold about me?

Subject to any legal restrictions, we are happy to advise you what personal information we hold about you and provide to you access to that personal information, should you request this. If your request is particularly complex or requires detailed searching of our records, there may be a reasonable cost to you in order for us to provide this information.

If you believe there are errors in our records about you, please let us know and we will be happy to investigate and correct any inaccuracies.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies to provide a better browsing experience. If you prefer not to have cookies collected, you can disable this option in your browser settings.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyse the audience statistics of our website to improve our content. No personal information is collect from Google Analytics. Click here for further information on the privacy policy concerning Google Analytics.

Further information

If you would like further information on our privacy policy or if you have any concerns over the protection of the information you have given to us or that we have collected from others, please contact the General Manager, Black Dog Institute, Hospital Rd, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031.