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Services
Ballarat Community Health Centre offers a wide range of services with the aim of improving and promoting community health.
To find out more about Ballarat Community Health Centre's service delivery:
Fees
Ballarat Community Health Centre is committed to providing quality services at minimal cost. Under government funding requirements, this Centre is required to charge a small fee for some services. However, no client will be denied service as a result of his or her inability to make payment.
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Consumer Rights & Responsibilities
Consumer Rights
The Ballarat Community Health Centre aims to uphold the rights of consumers to informed decision-making in relation to their care.
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The client has the right to freedom of expression and confidentiality.
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The client has the right to quality and respectful care, which recognises their dignity and personal beliefs.
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The client has the right of access to their file/record under Freedom of Information legislation and the Privacy Act, except where information is prohibited from disclosure by law.
Client Independence
- The client has the right to information and education, which is adequate, accurate, and presented in a manner and language which will allow them to make an informed decision relating to their care.
- The client has the right to request transfer to another worker concerning the same health issue.
Resolution of Complaints
- The client has the right to complain about their treatment, without fear that their action will prevent further access to the service. The client can expect to receive a written response to a complaint.
Withdrawal from Services
- Clients may withdraw from participation in the service or any of its treatment programs and other activities, at any time. This will not prejudice any future assistance.
- Ballarat Community Health Centre reserves the right to withdraw services in situations where clients are intoxicated, direct verbal abuse at staff, physically threaten staff or sexually harass staff.
Consumer Responsibilities
The client has the responsibility to:
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Provide information that enables the health care worker to provide adequate care and advice.
- Actively seek health care information.
- Work towards meeting any agreement/plan, chosen in partnership with a health care worker.
- Respect the right of the worker to conduct an interview with the client/support person in a non-threatening manner.
- Respect the privacy and space of others attending the Centre and to keep in confidence any information shared by group members in a program conducted by the service.
- Acknowledge responsibility for the consequences of their decisions to accept or reject advice.
- Recognise that choices made in relation to their lifestyle affect their health.
- Keep appointments, or notify if unable to attend.
- Not attend appointments under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
- Remove illicit substances from view, should the worker be present at the client’s home.
- Document any complaint about a worker or the service, and address it to the Chief Executive officer.
- Accept that workers are bound by law to keep accurate written records of interviews, and to report suspected cases of child abuse to the Child Protection Authority.
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Equality of Access
No client shall be refused service because of age, sexual preference, social status, and political or religious beliefs.
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Privacy & Confidentiality
Ballarat Community Health Centre complies with The Privacy Act 1988 and all relevant State legislation regarding personal information collected as part of the operations of this centre.
- Personal information collected by the professionals here
at the Centre is for the purpose of giving you the best
possible health care and for that purpose may need to be
shared within the team of health care providers at this
centre, however it will not be shared with any other agency
or individual without your permission or knowledge.
- Some generic service data is required by legislation,
government departments and accreditation bodies for monitoring
and research purposes. This data does not include personal
details such as your name or address, but includes information
regarding clients numbers, types of treatment provided at
this Centre, client profiles, etc.
- Your personal information is stored in a manner that
ensures that it remains confidential and that only those
who need to know have access to it. Files are locked so
that only authorised staff can access them when they need
to do so and access is monitored.
- Under Privacy legislation, you have a right to access
your personal information and health records. If you wish
to access this information you may contact the Privacy Officer
or ask the receptionist for a request form, and return the
completed form to her for processing. Your request will
be processed within 14 days of being received by the Privacy
Officer. There may be a small administrative charge to cover
the cost of photocopying and/or handling.
- In the event that you disagree with any information in
your file and wish to correct an item, you may submit this
correction to the Privacy officer who will add it to your
file detailing the amendment process and changes.
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Freedom of Information
The 2006 Freedom of Information (FOI) Annual Report was tabled in both houses of Parliament in October 2006 and a copy of the report can be downloaded from the Victorian FOI website Freedom of Information Online - Homepage. The application fee for Freedom of Information is $21.50.
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