Reference no: EM133578310

Privacy Act

Magdalena, Francisco's wife, has decided to undergo the dental treatment.

The Dentist says that he first needs to assess the condition of her gums to determine what kind of implants to order.

Magdalena visits her Dentist at the Gepps Southern Cross Dental Centre to have an assessment done.

The Dentist thoroughly performs the assessment on Magdalena. As the Dentist is inspecting her gums and the remaining teeth, he discovers that she has a throat infection.

The doctor suspects that Magdalena may a virus causing her sore throat. He asks Magdalena about her symptoms.

Magdalena confirms that she has been feeling extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

The Dentist suspects that Magdalena has Mononucleosis caused by the Epstein Barr Virus. However, before sharing this diagnosis with Magdalena, the doctor prefers to have some blood and urine results.

As a result, the Dentist instructs Magdalena to visit the clinic that is next to the Dental Centre.

At the Clinic, a nurse draws some blood and collects a urine sample from Magdalena.

Two weeks later, the results of the tests are in.

Magdalena makes an appointment to speak to the Doctor at the Clinic.

During the appointment, the doctor indicates that the pathology results are in but they are not conclusive.

Nevertheless, in examining Magdalena's pathology results, there are some indications that she might have Mononucleosis caused by the Epstein Barr Virus.

Magdalena cannot believe the diagnosis. She has always been healthy and never had any indications of being ill with "mono". She also tells the Doctor that she drinks a daily "health shake" that she makes herself.

She tells the Doctor that every morning, she drinks a "health shake" made with olive oil, lemon juice and ginger.

The doctor gives a slight smirk at this remark and proceeds to give a lot of notes in Magdalena's file.

When the consultation is over, the doctor gives Magdalena a copy of her blood and urine results. He tells her that he has sent a copy to the Dentist.

Magdalena asks for the doctor to include the notes he made during the consultation.

However, the doctor refuses to provide this information. He says it is "confidential" and that Magdalena has no right to see it.

Magdalena is now determined to retrieve those notes.

What type of information are the blood and urine tests considered in the Privacy Act?

What Australian Privacy Principles can Magdalena use to retrieve the notes made during her consultation?