Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen
24 July 2018 at 08:51

The Privacy Act doesn’t generally apply to dead people. This is because the Privacy Act protects the rights of “individuals”, and section 2 of the Act defines an individual as a “natural person, other than a deceased person”.

complaints, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood
2 March 2018 at 10:18

This blog post was reviewed and updated in March 2025.

Health Information Privacy Code, health

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett
13 February 2018 at 12:14

If you work in a small practice or medical centre, there’s every chance you may not have received many requests for personal information from patients. The starting point is to know that the Privacy Act gives people the right to make a request for information that is about them.

health, Health Information Privacy Code, complaints

A guide for health professionals disclosing information to Police Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

Reviewed May 2025 (previously titled ‘Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals.’

Health Information Privacy Code, health, IPP11 - disclosure, law enforcement

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett
8 July 2016 at 12:21

Reviewed for relevance April 2025.

children, health, Health Information Privacy Code

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew
31 May 2016 at 10:52

Mrs Patel was outraged. She’d visited her GP for a follow-up check after her hand surgery, and he’d asked her about her history of depression. She didn’t think she’d had anything of the sort, and decided to ask the receptionist for a copy of all her medical notes to see what else was in there. The young receptionist assured her that the doctor owned the notes so she couldn’t have them.

IPP6 - access, health, Health Information Privacy Code

The value of a phone call Hayley Forrest
12 January 2016 at 10:07

Updated by our Guidance team in March 2025.

Health Information Privacy Code, health, information sharing, enquiries

Viewing entries tagged with 'Health Information Privacy Code'

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen 24 July 2018 at 08:51

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood 2 March 2018 at 10:18

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett 13 February 2018 at 12:14

A guide for health professionals disclosing information to Police Richard Stephen 7 July 2017 at 11:32

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett 8 July 2016 at 12:21

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew 31 May 2016 at 10:52

The value of a phone call Hayley Forrest 12 January 2016 at 10:07

Privacy beyond the grave Richard Stephen
24 July 2018 at 08:51

Handling health information of intersex individuals Vanessa Blackwood
2 March 2018 at 10:18

Advice for doctors when there’s a complaint Charles Mabbett
13 February 2018 at 12:14

A guide for health professionals disclosing information to Police Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

Parents' right to know: Children's right to privacy Charles Mabbett
8 July 2016 at 12:21

Health info: The right to know made easy Marilyn Andrew
31 May 2016 at 10:52

The value of a phone call Hayley Forrest
12 January 2016 at 10:07