Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Introducing Health ABC Sam Grover
7 August 2018 at 16:26

Letters in the wrong envelope, sensitive documents left on a photocopier, an autofill error in an email - these are some of the most common privacy breaches, and have been since the Privacy Act was passed in 1993.

Health Information Privacy Code, health

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen
24 July 2018 at 08:51

Generally the Privacy Act doesn’t apply to deceased people. This is because the Privacy Act protects the rights of “individuals”, and section 2 of the Act defines an individual as a “natural person, other than a deceased person”.

complaints, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood
2 March 2018 at 10:18

The Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand (ITANZ) recently approached our office for advice on an issue faced by many intersex people in New Zealand. ITANZ is part of an intersex advocacy movement and works to improve awareness, information, education and training about intersex people.

Health Information Privacy Code, health

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett
13 February 2018 at 12:14

If you work in a small practice or medical centre, there’s every chance you may not have received many requests for personal information from patients. The starting point is to know that the Privacy Act gives people the right to make a request for information that is about them.

health, Health Information Privacy Code, complaints

Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

In their job, health professionals have to look after some of the most intimate details of their patients’ lives. This is a great responsibility, and patients trust and expect doctors, nurses and others to not just tell anyone. This obligation is recognised in the Health Information Privacy Code.

Health Information Privacy Code, health, IPP11 - disclosure, law enforcement

Traitors under our skin? Sebastian Morgan-Lynch
4 April 2017 at 09:44

When Ross Compton’s house caught fire in September 2016, he was able to escape unscathed, with a suitcase full of clothes and the charger for his external heart pump. But when the 59-year-old US man explained to arson investigators how he’d broken the window with his cane and hurled his most important belongings out the window before scrambling to safety, they weren’t convinced. And so, in a twist that would have been science fictional a few years ago, they interrogated his heart.

Health Information Privacy Code, health, cybersecurity

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett
8 July 2016 at 12:21

As parents, we expect to be told everything about our infants when we take them to the doctor. The same with our toddlers. By the time they get to their teens, it gets a little more complicated. Should parents have the right to know about all about their under 16-year-old’s healthcare?

children, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew
31 May 2016 at 10:52

Mrs Patel was outraged. She’d visited her GP for a follow-up check after her hand surgery, and he’d asked her about her history of depression. She didn’t think she’d had anything of the sort, and decided to ask the receptionist for a copy of all her medical notes to see what else was in there. The young receptionist assured her that the doctor owned the notes so she couldn’t have them.

IPP6 - access, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Viewing entries tagged with 'Health Information Privacy Code'

Introducing Health ABC Sam Grover 7 August 2018 at 16:26

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen 24 July 2018 at 08:51

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood 2 March 2018 at 10:18

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett 13 February 2018 at 12:14

Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals Richard Stephen 7 July 2017 at 11:32

Traitors under our skin? Sebastian Morgan-Lynch 4 April 2017 at 09:44

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett 8 July 2016 at 12:21

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew 31 May 2016 at 10:52

Introducing Health ABC Sam Grover
7 August 2018 at 16:26

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen
24 July 2018 at 08:51

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood
2 March 2018 at 10:18

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett
13 February 2018 at 12:14

Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

Traitors under our skin? Sebastian Morgan-Lynch
4 April 2017 at 09:44

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett
8 July 2016 at 12:21

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew
31 May 2016 at 10:52