Can a health service provider, like a private hospital, disclose a patient's personal ...

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Answer: Yes, if the patient has given their consent.

The National Privacy Principles (NPPs) in the Privacy Act provide a set of standards that organisations need to meet when handling peoples' personal information.

The NPPs do not stand in the way of an individual's personal information being shared so that they can receive chaplaincy, pastoral care, and similar support services. For many people these services are important, particularly when they are in ill health.

The NPPs allow patient information to be given to chaplaincy and pastoral care services where the patient wants this to occur. In such circumstances, the individual is giving authority for the information to be shared under NPP 2.1(b).

While a health service provider needs to be assured that the patient has given consent to the sharing of their personal information with a chaplaincy or pastoral care service, this can happen in a number of ways. Often, it will happen when the patient first enters the health service and completes their admission form, though sometimes it may happen later. Also, between a particular health service and its neighbouring chaplaincy or pastoral care services, local arrangements may be agreed, with perhaps nominated chaplains or pastoral carers obtaining the consent of individuals in their congregation before they use the health service.

Once the patient has had the opportunity to decide, and if they agree, their information can be passed to the support service. Care should be taken to disclose only the information that has been agreed with the patient.

For more information on the operation of NPP 2, see the Office's Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector.