WHANAU ORA/FAMILY HEALTH SOFTWARE
Privacy Statements
Introduction
Welcome to the Whanau Ora/Family Health software. This software has been developed by the HSC to be trialled and tested from February 2010 the end of June 2010. The HSC is a New Zealand Government agency responsible for promoting health and the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Our job is to make sure your experience on this software is enjoyable and safe.
This document sets out what identifiable health information this software collects and how it will be used. Its goal is to:- Demonstrate how the operators of this software will protect personal details and health information of registered users and their whanau.
- Emphasise the importance of confidentiality to registered users and their whanau.
- Comply with the legislation relating to the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal health and information.
It is important that all users of the Whanau Ora/Family Health software understand the information handling practices associated with its use. By using this software, you expressly consent to the information handling practices as described below.
How the Software Works
This software provides an electronic platform where registered users can assess and record their own personal health and other social information as well as their whanau/family’s. The registered user and their whanau will determine what information to record using two functions on the software, Tangata Ora and Whanau Ora.
Tangata Ora
The Tangata Ora function allows the registered user to create their own individual profile and includes Personal Details such as names, date of birth, address and contact/s, medical practitioner/s details and contacts, Whakapapa (iwi/hapu, marae, maunga, waka, etc), Body Profile, Impairments, Health Issues, My Health Goals, and Answer Surveys. The Tangata Ora information is accessible only to the registered user through a user name and password. No other family member can access this information without the correct user name and password. This information is stored on a secure site by the software developer.
Whanau Ora
The Whanau Ora function allows the registered user to create a whakapapa/family tree picture of their whanau and includes the following menus: Create/Edit Whanau, Invite Others to join, Create Health Goals and Values, Health and Lifestyle Surveys, My Whakapapa. The Whanau Ora function allows the registered user to invite other whanau members to join and to create surveys to provide health and lifestyle profiles for the whanau. This whanau ora information is available to other whanau members.
It is very important that whanau members make sure they are providing accurate information about other members. Should other members of the family/whanau disagree with what is recorded about them they may request correction of that information.
Health Provider Support
Initial access to the use of this software will be facilitated by a designated Maori health provider. The designated Maori health provider will be responsible for:
- Facilitating use of the software with their clients.
- Ensuring compliance with all requirements of the Health Information Code, 1994.
- Ensuring that registered users and their whanau using this software are informed about their rights regarding personal or health information, and sign an agreement about the sharing of such information as part of their service agreement.
Each Māori provider will seek health information from each user as part of their formal role but must gain the user’s permission in order to do so.
Collection of Personal or Health Information
In the operation of this software the HSC collects, uses, and retains all information that is disclosed on the software. The HSC’s use and disclosure of personal and health information is described below.
Purpose of Collection
The purpose of collecting information from this software is for the following: Whanau Ora Health Plans – To identify personal and whanau health plans, and identify potential support for the care and treatment of users. Development of Health and Lifestyle Profiles – To determine the profiles of registered users, including the health and lifestyle profile/screen of whanau for the whanau, and to identify the potential trends and implications for future planning and funding of health and social services. Effectiveness of Software – To determine the success of the software and potential further developments, including supporting evaluation requirements.
The HSC may use personal and health information collected on the software: to promote, improve and maintain the Whanau Ora software and our other programmes, to develop new products and services; to prevent abusive and fraudulent use of this software, to personalise and display advertisements and other content on the software, and for other administrative and business related purposes.
Gathering Information
The Health Information Privacy Code 1994 has twelve rules that detail the requirements for gathering information, disclosing information, and allowing a person access to information held about them. A copy of the Code is available at the Privacy Commissioner’s website: http://www.privacy.org.nz/health-information-privacy-code/
Access and Correction of Personal Information
Under the Code, anyone has the right to request access or correction of their own information held on this software. The HSC will respond to such a request within 20 working days or less, and will endeavour to provide it in the form requested.
Disclosing Information
Rule 11 of the Code prohibits disclosure of health information except: with the consent of the person concerned; where disclosure was one of the purposes of collection; to lessen a serious threat to the life or health of any individual (or public health and safety).; or when otherwise required or permitted by law.
The HSC will not share personal and health information recorded on this software with third parties outside of the conditions described in the Code.
Whanau Confidentiality
It is important to note that there are differences to the way in which confidentiality is viewed by whanau. The concept of whanau pervades all actions, processes and procedures surrounding confidentiality.
The Whanau Ora information collected on this site is intended to be viewed by other whanau members. Registered users will be responsible for collecting and recording information about their whanau on this site. Registered users are encouraged to include their whanau in any major decisions that they must make regarding their health and wellbeing, including the confidentiality of this information. The registered user should correct information about the whanau, should members of the whanau want corrective changes on this site.
Software Service Provider
The HSC has contracted Bootstrap IT as the software service provider. Bootstrap IT has designed, built and is hosting this software, and is responsible for ensuring safe and secure storage of all information collected on this software. Bootstrap IT is HSC’s agent and is responsible for ensuring that its systems are compliant with the Code.
Storage and Security of Personal and Health Information
The HSC and software provider endeavour to protect the integrity and security of all personal and health information stored on this software. Standard New Zealand industry measures are used to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of personal and health information under the HSC’s control.
While the HSC cannot guarantee the information stored on its software system will remain free from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, or alteration, it will do everything reasonably possible to prevent “hackers” or other unauthorised persons form illegally accessing or obtaining this information. To help maintain the security of your software identification, please keep your password secure.
The HSC will respond to such breaches of security by immediately notifying all affected registered users electronically so that they can take appropriate corrective steps. By using this Whanau Ora/Family Health software all registered users agree that the HSC can communicate with you electronically regarding security, privacy and administrative issues relating to their use of the Whanau Ora/Family Health software. If a security systems breach occurs, the HSC may post a notice on the homepage (http://whanauora.bootstrap.co.nz/) or elsewhere on Whanau Ora/Family Health software, and may send an email directly to the registered user.
Disposal of Personal and Health Information
Registered users may delete or modify any personal and health information stored on this software at any time. Whanau members can also request to have their personal and health information deleted from other registered user accounts. The HSC will respond to such a request within a maximum of 20 working days, and will endeavour to delete the information if requested to do so.
Retention of Personal and Health information
Under the Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996 health information must be held for 10 years from the last interaction with the individual concerned, unless it is returned to the individual or their health provider. The personal and health information reported on this site will be held for the duration of the pilot up to the end of June 2010 at which point it will be returned to the provider. Should the pilot prove successful, the HSC will retain the personal and health information indefinitely or unless the registered user alters or deletes their information.
Contact HSC
If you have any questions about these privacy statements you may contact the HSC at info@hsc.org.nz
You may also write to us at
Manager, Business Development Unit
HSC
PO Box 2142
WELINGTON
