Confidentiality Policy

Subject: Confidentiality Policy for RACMA Directors, Members and Staff 
Review Date: 21 July 2017
Review By: Board
Next review date: July 2020
 

1. Introduction

The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (‘College’, ‘RACMA’) is an independent, non-profit organisation concerned with promoting and advancing the study of and practice of health services management by medical practitioners.

The College is committed to the highest level of integrity and respect, and requires Members and Staff to keep confidential information confidential.  This Policy sets out the requirements relating to confidentiality which must be observed by Directors, Members and Staff who hold official positions or perform official functions for the College.

2.  Definitions                                                                        

In this Policy:

• Confidential Information” includes:
  • personal information and health information (as defined in the College’s Privacy Policy);
  • financial, business or operational information about College programs (including training and research programs and training posts);
  • minutes of, and other information about, the deliberations of the Board and Committees of the College;
  • any information that is designated as confidential; and
  • any other information which, from its nature or the manner in which it was obtained, would reasonably appear to be confidential;
• “Director” means a member of the Board of the College;
• “Member” means a person whose name is entered in the Register as a Member of the College; and
• “Staff ” includes employees and contractors of the College.

3. Scope

This Policy applies to all Directors, Members and Staff performing functions for the College or acting on behalf of the College in an official role.

4. Confidentiality

Information may be confidential whether or not it is marked “confidential” or “commercial in confidence” or otherwise identified as being confidential.

A person to whom this Policy applies must take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of performing their functions.

A person to whom this Policy applies must not disclose such confidential information unless:

• the disclosure is necessary for the proper performance of  those functions; or
• the disclosure is required or authorised by law or by a court or tribunal.

5.  Breaches of confidentiality requirements

If a person to whom this Policy applies becomes aware that confidential information has been disclosed contrary to this Policy, the person must report the disclosure to the College Secretariat, which shall take such steps as it reasonably can to contain, and minimise any adverse impacts of, the disclosure.

A failure to comply with this Policy may lead to be disciplinary action:

• against a Member in accordance with RACMA’s Constitution; or
• against a member of Staff in accordance with the terms of their employment or engagement.
  
  

Related documents

RACMA Officers Code of Conduct
RACMA Privacy Policy
Good Medical Practice – A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia
Good Medical Practice – A guide for Doctors (New Zealand)

Regulation for the Conduct of RACMA Pre-Fellowship Exam

Regulation for Accreditation of Training Post

Appointment and Training of RACMA Censors