Term |
Meaning |
Access |
The direct access by authorised users (both internal and external to the WA health system) to information within data collections managed by the Department or Health Service Providers. Typically, direct access is gained via a network and/or system login and password to a front-end information system or to a back-end database. |
Business information |
Includes, but is not limited to, administration, corporate, workforce, human resources, financial or accounting information that may contain personal information. |
Confidentiality |
Obligation imposed on persons by common law, statute and/or equity which requires that information of a certain character (e.g. personal or otherwise sensitive information) be treated in confidence by those to whom it is made known or becomes known. |
Data |
The term 'data' generally refers to unprocessed information, while the term 'information' refers to data that has been processed in such a way as to be meaningful to the person who receives it. In this policy the terms 'data' and 'information' have been used interchangeably and should be taken to mean both data and information. |
Data linkage |
A complex technique connecting data records within and between datasets thought to relate to the same person, place, family or event. Data linkage typically uses demographic data (for example: name, date of birth, address, sex, medical record number) and facilitates analysis of linked information in a way that protects individual privacy. |
Disclosure |
A person discloses information if they: cause the information to appear, allow the information to be seen, make the information known, reveal the information or lay the information open to view. |
Disposal |
Refers to the action or process to destroy. |
Duty of confidentiality |
Obligation imposed on persons by common law, statute and /or equity which requires that information of a certain character (e.g. personal or otherwise sensitive information) be treated in confidence by those to whom it is made known or becomes known. |
Health information |
Has the meaning given in the Health Services Act 2016 in section 213 as:
(a) information, or an opinion, that is also personal information, about:
(i) the health (at any time) of an individual; or
(ii) a disability (at any time) of an individual; or
(iii) an individual's expressed wishes about the future provision of health services to the individual; or
(iv) a health service provided, or to be provided, to an individual; or
(b) other personal information collected to provide, or in providing, a health service.
|
Health Service Provider |
Health Service Provider means a health service provider established under section 32 of the Health Services Act 2016 and may include North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS), South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS), Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), WA Country Health Service (WACHS), East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS), Quadriplegic Centre, PathWest and Health Support Services (HSS). |
Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) |
A human research ethics committee constituted in accordance with, and acting in compliance with, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. |
Information |
Refer to data. |
Information Governance |
Refers to the processes used to manage the availability, usability, integrity and security of information assets. |
Information Lifecycle |
Information lifecycle is the sequence of operational activities for managing information from creation to disposal. The activities within the information lifecycle are collection, storage, access/disclosure, use and disposal. |
Information Management |
Refers the management of information across all stages of the information lifecycle. |
National Statement |
Refers to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research which are a series of guidelines that are produced in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (Cwlth) clause 7(1) (a). |
Personal information |
Has the meaning given in the Freedom of Information Act 1992 in the Glossary clause 1:
Means information or an opinion, whether true or not, and
whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual, whether living or dead -
(a) whose identity is apparent or can reasonably be ascertained from the information or opinion; or
(b) who can be identified by reference to an identification number or other identifying particular such as a fingerprint, retina print or body sample.
|
Privacy1 |
An individual's right or expectation that their information will be maintained securely and in confidence. |
Secure/Protected |
Refers to information that is secured and protected from unauthorised access or misuse across all stages of the information lifecycle. |
Use |
A person ‘uses’ information if they: employ the information for some purpose, put the information into service, turn the information to account, avail themselves of the information or apply the information for their own purposes. |
WA health system |
Pursuant to section 19(1) of the Health Services Act 2016, means the Department of Health, Health Service Providers and to the extent that Contracted Health Entities provide health services to the State, the Contracted Health Entities. |