General
This Privacy Policy sets out the approach that the HSP Research Foundation takes in relation to the treatment of Personal Information. It includes information on how the HSP Research Foundation collects, uses, discloses and keeps secure, individuals’ Personal Information.
This policy has been drafted having regard to the HSP Research Foundation’s obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (including the new National Privacy Principles) (The Privacy Act).
This Policy is a public document and has been prepared in light of National Privacy Principle 5, Openness.
Collection and Use of Personal information
The HSP Research Foundation collects Personal Information for the purposes of:
- Administering the Foundation and its services such as maintaining a database of members
corresponding and communicating with people such as members, prospective members, medical researchers, providers of services to the Foundation, international peer organisations, volunteers, donors, grant-making bodies, and so on - Accepting money as donations and membership subscriptions, issuing receipts and keeping financial records as required by law.
- All personal financial data such as bank account information, cheque information, EFT or credit card information is securely discarded once a transaction is completed.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive Information is neither collected nor kept. Sensitive Information means information or an opinion about individuals’:
- Racial or ethnic origin
- Political opinions
- Membership of a political association
- Religious beliefs or affiliations
- Philosophical beliefs
- Membership of a professional or trade association
- Membership of a trade union
- Sexual preferences or practices
- Ciminal record that is also personal information, or
- Health information.
The HSP Research Foundation takes all reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of individuals’ data and uses it only for the purposes stated. Personal information is not sold, shared or otherwise provided to any third party, individual or organisation under any circumstances, except as stated in this policy or without the written consent of the individual.
The HSP Research Foundation has no control over the collection or use of personal information by other organisations to whom data may be provided by an individual, such as via a website linked to the HSP Research Foundation website. It is recommended that individuals check the Privacy Policies of other organisations, and otherwise satisfy themselves as to security before providing data to them.
The HSP Research Foundation may disclose Personal Information to law enforcement agencies, government agencies, courts or external advisers where permitted or required by law.
Medical Data concerning HSP
Medical, health and genetic related information is the concern of the individual and their health professionals and not that of the HSP Research Foundation.
However, to build an understanding of the disease and its impact, and to educate and inform, the HSP Research Foundation is interested in collective data and statistics, and case study information. The HSP Research Foundation may therefore collect, retain and use information concerning HSP, but this will be done anonymously, that is, in the absence of any personal identification of any sort at any stage.
If, in the future, a legitimate need arises for the ethical collection of personally attributable medical information regarding an individual’s HSP status, this will be done only with the full knowledge and written consent of the individual or of the individual’s parent or guardian if a minor.
Rights and Choices
Individuals may opt not to receive notifications of activities or events by contacting the HSP Research Foundation and advising of their preferences at:
HSP Research Foundation
P.O. Box 4008
RATHMINES NSW 2283
Email: inquiries@hspersunite.org.au
Individuals can access the personal information that the HSP Research Foundation holds about them by applying as above.