Terms and Conditions of Use for Dr. Matt Harvey's Website

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using this website. By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you may not use this website.


Medical Advice Disclaimer
The content of this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other materials, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.


No Doctor-Patient Relationship
Your use of this website does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Harvey or any other healthcare professional associated with this website.


User Conduct
You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of, restrict, or inhibit the use and enjoyment of this website by any third party.


Email Contact Policy
The email contact feature provided on this website is intended for non-clinical queries and general enquiries only. Please refrain from using email communication for urgent medical matters or emergencies. Dr. Harvey and the staff associated with this website will not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations through email correspondence.


Clinical Consultations
Clinical matters requiring medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment must be addressed through a booked consultation. Information provided via email communication should not be considered a substitute for a consultation with a healthcare professional.


Intellectual Property Rights
All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, images, audio clips, digital downloads, and software, is the property of Dr. Matt Harvey or its content suppliers and is protected by copyright laws.


Accuracy and Changes to Information
The information provided on this website is subject to change without notice. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented, we cannot guarantee that it will be current, complete, or error-free at the time of access. Dr. Harvey and the administrators of this website disclaim any liability for errors or omissions in the content provided. Users are encouraged to verify any information obtained from this website before relying on it for decision-making or medical purposes.


Links to Third-Party Websites
This website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience. Dr. Harvey does not endorse or make any representations about these websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or opinions expressed on such websites.


Limitation of Liability
In no event shall Dr. Harvey or its affiliates be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected with your use of this website or the information contained herein.


Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Dr. Harvey, all affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses, including legal fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with your use of this website or violation of these terms and conditions.


Modifications to Terms
Dr. Matt Harvey reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of this website after any changes indicates your acceptance of the modified terms.


Associated Clinical Facilities
All policies, terms, and conditions detailed on this website are specific to Dr Harvey’s clinic which are fully independent of policies, terms, and conditions of any clinical facilities Dr Harvey provides services from. Patients are advised, however, to familiarise themselves with the specific policies and procedures of these facilities, in the event they apply to any aspects of your access to or interaction with Dr. Harvey and the provision of healthcare services beyond the control of Dr Harvey’s clinic and what is outlined on this website.


Governing Law
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Australia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.


Contact Information: If you have any questions or concerns about these terms and conditions, please contact us.

Effective: 2 May 2025

Practice Name: Dr Matt Harvey

This privacy policy outlines how we manage personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We are committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and ensuring the secure handling of personal and sensitive health information.

1. Collection of Personal Information

We collect personal information only when it is reasonably necessary for the provision of healthcare services. This information may include:

• Name, address, date of birth, and contact details

• Medicare number and health fund details

• Medical history, current health conditions, and medications

• Referral information and results of diagnostic tests
  

We do not collect personal information via online forms on our website. However, patients, treating healthcare professionals, and other third parties may provide patient information via email, fax, or secure messaging systems. Information received in this manner is treated with the same confidentiality and security standards as information collected directly from patients.

2. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

We will only use and disclose personal information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or for a directly related secondary purpose where the individual would reasonably expect such use. This includes:

• Providing medical treatment and healthcare services

• Coordinating care with other healthcare professionals

• Billing and administrative purposes

• Clinical audits and quality improvement

• Legal and regulatory compliance
  
  

Personal information may be disclosed to third parties involved in the patient’s care, such as other doctors, allied health professionals, pathology and medical imaging providers, insurers, and legal representatives, where necessary and in accordance with the Privacy Act.

3. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, in accordance with APP 11. These steps include:

• Use of secure electronic medical record software and encrypted cloud-based storage

• Role-based access controls to limit access to authorised staff

• Regular software updates and security audits
  
  

Our practice uses Google Workspace for administrative purposes and for electronic correspondence sent and received outside our practice management software and other secure messaging systems. While we configure our systems to meet Australian privacy and security standards, some data may be processed or stored on international servers. We ensure that all service providers handling personal information comply with privacy protections substantially equivalent to those under the APPs.

Our clinical documentation systems, including practice management software and AI-based scribing tools, are compliant with Australian data security regulations and hosted on servers located in Australia. All clinical content is encrypted at rest and in transit.

4. Communication by Email and Secure Messaging

While we prefer to use secure messaging platforms (we prefer Medical Objects) for the exchange of clinical information between healthcare providers, we acknowledge that some personal health information may be sent or received via unencrypted email—particularly when correspondence involves patients or third parties who do not use or have access to secure messaging systems.

Patients are not expected to use secure messaging platforms, but are encouraged to use secure email practices wherever possible, such as:

• Password-protecting attachments, with passwords sent via a separate channel (e.g., SMS or phone)

• Using secure email services that support encryption

• Avoiding inclusion of sensitive details in the email subject line or body
  

Where personal information is received via email, we take reasonable steps to protect its content once received. This includes transferring relevant material into secure clinical records and limiting inbox access to authorised personnel.

We cannot guarantee the security of personal information during transmission over the internet and do not accept responsibility for any privacy compromise that occurs during unencrypted email transit.

5. Access and Correction

Under APP 12 and APP 13, patients have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about them and to request correction if they believe it is inaccurate, out-of-date, or incomplete. Requests will be handled in a timely manner in accordance with the Privacy Act.

6. Consent

We obtain consent from patients before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal information, except where such actions are permitted or required by law. Consent may be implied or expressed, depending on the context and sensitivity of the information.

7. Direct Marketing

We do not use personal information for direct marketing purposes.

8. Cross-Border Disclosure

Where data is stored or processed by third-party service providers (such as email platforms), it may be transferred or stored outside Australia. In accordance with APP 8, we ensure that such providers are contractually bound to uphold privacy protections comparable to those required under Australian law. We also take steps to ensure Australian data residency where practicable.

9. Privacy Complaints

If you have a concern about the way we handle personal information, please contact us directly. All complaints will be investigated promptly and handled in accordance with guidance from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the OAIC.

10. Updates to this Privacy Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal obligations or clinical practice operations. The most current version will always be made available on our website.

11. Duty to Disclose

Patients have a responsibility to provide complete, accurate, and current information to support the provision of appropriate care. Incomplete, inaccurate, or withheld information may adversely affect your care or clinical outcomes. Dr Harvey does not accept responsibility for adverse outcomes arising from misrepresentation, non-disclosure, or omission of relevant information by the patient or their representatives.

12. Requests for Transfer of Medical Information to Third Parties

In certain instances, a patient or their guardian/representative may request that medical information be transferred to a third party (e.g., other health care provider, insurer, solicitor, employer). In accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), our practice adheres to the following procedure to ensure the protection of patient privacy and data security:

• Written Request:
  We require a direct, written request from the third party specifying the exact information required.
  

• Signed Patient Consent:
  A current, signed consent from the patient (or their authorised representative) must accompany the request. This consent should clearly outline:
  

  • The specific information to be released

  • The identity of the third party recipient

  • The preferred mode of transmission
    

• Verification:
  We will verify the authenticity of the request and the consent provided. If there is any doubt about the validity of the consent, we will contact the patient directly for confirmation.
  

• Secure Transmission:
  If the requested mode of transmission is email:
  

  • The information will be sent as an encrypted file.

  • The encryption password will be communicated via an alternative contact method (e.g., SMS or phone call).

  • If the recipient email address is generic (e.g., admin@, info@), we require written confirmation that the email account is accessed only by authorised personnel.
    

• Administrative Fee:
  An administrative fee may be charged to cover the reasonable costs of processing the request. This fee will be determined based on the nature and scope of the request and will be communicated to the patient or their representative prior to processing. The fee will not be excessive and will comply with the OAIC’s guidance on charges for providing access to personal information.
  

This procedure aligns with guidance from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), ensuring that patient information is disclosed responsibly and securely.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our privacy practices or wish to access or correct your personal information, please contact:

Dr Matt Harvey
Level 1, 51 Mollison Street
West End QLD 4101

admin@drmattharvey.com.au

0459 533 013

The Bookings and Cancellation Policy outlines the guidelines for booking appointments and managing cancellations to ensure optimal patient care and clinic operations. By booking an appointment with Dr. Harvey, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this policy.

1. Booking Appointments
Appointment availability is based on the nature of the appointment and the healthcare provider's schedule.

Appointments can be scheduled by contacting our admin staff via phone or email. 

We encourage patients to book routine appointments in advance to secure their preferred date and time.

Appointments may or may not be available for both urgent and non-urgent medical concerns at your preferred time. We have a cancellation list in place for urgent last-minute appointments and our staff do their best to get every patient seen.

2. Appointment Confirmations
Patients will receive confirmation of their appointment via SMS seven days prior and again two days prior to the appointment.

It is the patient's responsibility to confirm their appointment by responding to the confirmation message or contacting administration staff to reschedule.

3. Cancellations and Rescheduling
Cancellations or rescheduling must be made at least 1 business day prior to the scheduled appointment time. This will allow us to offer the appointment slot to another patient. For example, a 9 AM appointment on Monday would need to be cancelled by 9 AM on Friday for the cancellation not to incur a fee (weekends are not business days).

Cancellations or rescheduling requests can be made by contacting the admin during business hours.


4. Missed Appointments and Late Cancellations
Failure to attend a scheduled appointment (either in person or by Telehealth) without the required prior notification is considered a missed appointment. 

If it’s been more than 15 minutes into the appointment and we haven’t heard from you, the appointment will be deemed as Failed To Attend.

Patients who miss appointments without notifying will be subject to 100% of the consultation fee, and it is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

Missed appointment-fees must be paid in order to book future appointments. Multiple missed appointments will result in a requirement to prepay for future appointments.

Late cancellations (less than 1 business day prior) will incur a fee equal to 100% of the consultation fee.

5. Late Arrivals
Please call our office to let us know that you are running late. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may cause delays in your arrival or Dr. Harvey being on time for your appointment. Sometimes this is unavoidable; however, arriving on time and keeping to your allocated appointment time will minimise delays.

Arriving late for your appointment may result in a shortened consultation or the need to reschedule, depending on the healthcare provider's schedule and the nature of your appointment.

6. Group Bookings
For group bookings or appointments involving multiple individuals (e.g., family members or corporate clients), please contact our admin staff to discuss availability and scheduling arrangements. Attending with multiple individuals requiring consultation or other services who are not booked may result in the need to rebook, as multiple consultations usually require more time than is allocated.

7. Telehealth Appointments
We offer telehealth appointments for eligible patients who prefer remote consultations. Telehealth appointments must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. Medicare eligibility status will affect the availability and amount of Medicare rebate to the patient.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions or require assistance with booking or cancelling an appointment, please contact our admin staff via phone or email.

The safety and well-being of Dr. Harvey’s patients, staff, and their families remain the top priority. The COVID-19 policies are regularly updated in accordance with Queensland Health guidelines.

Our patient demographic includes many vulnerable individuals, such as young children, the elderly, and those at high risk of severe illness. As a healthcare provider, we have a strong duty of care to protect everyone in our practice.

If You Are Unwell
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, muscle aches, or vomiting, please do not attend the practice in person. Instead, contact the administrator to either:

• Convert your appointment to a telehealth consultation, or

• Reschedule your in-person appointment after receiving a negative PCR or RAT test and once you are symptom-free.

Mask Policy
While masks are not currently mandatory under Queensland Government directives, we strongly recommend wearing a mask indoors to help protect our vulnerable patients and staff.

Our Commitment to Safety
We remain committed to fully complying with Queensland Government directives to ensure the safety of everyone in our care and deeply appreciate your patience and cooperation in following these policies.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Dr. Matt Harvey and Team