Privacy

Queensland Health is committed to protecting user privacy. We understand and appreciate that visitors and users of this website are concerned about their privacy and the confidentiality and security of any personal information that may be provided to us.

To protect your personal information, Queensland Health staff must follow the privacy principles contained in the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) (IP Act) (PDF 640kB), which include the nine National Privacy Principles and provisions regarding contracted service providers and the transfer of personal information out of Australia.

These principles contain rules about the collection, use, disclosure, security, quality, access, amendment, storage and openness of personal information.

Staff are also bound by Part 7 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld) (HHB Act) (PDF 1.16MB) which sets out the duty of confidentiality and exceptions that permit the disclosure of confidential information by ‘designated persons’. Confidential information most often relates to patients of Queensland Health who may be living or deceased.

Queensland Health's Privacy Plan (PDF 343kB) sets out details of the types of personal information we hold, and how that information is dealt with in accordance with both the IP Act and HHB Act.  Our Privacy Plan also sets out the process for lodging a privacy complaint and requesting access to personal information, including health records.

In this privacy statement, the Department of Health and the Hospital and Health Services (HHS) are referred to collectively as ‘Queensland Health’.  However, the Department of Health and the HHSs each have their own separate Privacy Plans.  If you cannot locate a Privacy Plan for a HHS online, you should contact the relevant HHS and request they provide you with a copy.

How is this website monitored?

When you look at this web site, our internet service and analytics providers make a record of your visit and log the following information for statistical purposes only:

  • the user's server address 
  • the user's top level domain name (for example .gov) 
  • the date and time of visit to the site 
  • the pages accessed and documents downloaded
  • the previous site visited 
  • the type of browser used.

The statistics collected provide information to assist us in making improvements to the content and structure of our website. Our website uses cookies when collecting this information, but we do not collect any IP addresses.

No attempt is, or will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except, in the unlikely event of an investigation, where a law enforcement agency may exercise a warrant to inspect activity logs.

Website analytics

We use Google Analytics (including display advertising features) on our website to gather anonymous information about visitors to our website. When you visit our web pages, your browser automatically sends anonymous information to Google. Examples of the information include the web address of the page that you're visiting, your IP address and demographic information. Google may also use cookies.

We use this data to analyse the pages that are visited, to improve your experience and make sure our website is useful.

You can read more about how Google uses data. You can choose not to allow Google to collect your information by opting out of Google Analytics or specifically opt out of Google Analytics display advertiser features.

Email and feedback information

This is a Queensland Government website. Email correspondence sent to this site will be treated as a public record and will be retained as required by the Public Records Act 2002 (Qld) (PDF 435kB) and other relevant regulations.

Your name and address details will not be added to a mailing list, nor will we disclose these details to third parties without your consent unless required by law. Email messages may however be monitored by our website support staff for system trouble shooting and maintenance purposes.

Although every effort will be made, Queensland Health does not guarantee to reply to email correspondence. Where appropriate, emails sent to this site may be forwarded internally to other Queensland Health officers for direct response.

How do I obtain access to information held about me by Queensland Health?

Queensland Health supports your right to see or amend the personal information (including health information) we hold about you. To find out how to access or amend your health records and personal information, or to learn more about how Queensland Health protects your privacy rights, please visit Health records and personal information.  Our Privacy Plan (PDF 343kB) also sets out some helpful information in this regard.