Privacy Policy
Our commitment
The George Institute of Global Health, together with its subsidiary and associated companies worldwide (“The George Institute”), recognises and respects a person’s universal right to privacy. This Privacy Statement communicates our commitment to the privacy and protection of Personal Information and Health Information which is collected and held by us, and the way in which we will use, store and remove your Personal Information and Health Information.
Our Privacy Policy, practices and processes (some of which are described in this Statement) are designed in accordance with the National Privacy Principles of the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and related regulations (as amended). In addition The George Institute applies and follows the ICH Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice with respect to the use, protection and security of Health Information collected, as well as guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC) of Australia in respect of Health Information that may be accessed in the conduct of research.
Terms used in this statement
“Health Information” means information or an opinion about the health or a disability of an individual (including whether health services should be, has been, or will be, provided and his/her express wishes with respect to future health services), Personal Information collected in the provision of a health service, health records, information about diagnosis, treatment and/or medication, donor information, and genetic information.
“Personal Information” means information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.
“Websites” means all websites owned by The George Institute from time to time, and includes www.georgeinstitute.org, www.georgeclinical.com, and our sister sites in China, India and the United Kingdom.
Collection of information
The George Institute collects the following types of information from your contact with us:
Via our Websites
When accessing our Websites, we may make a record of your user service address and internet provider name and address, the date and time of your visit, the pages you accessed and any documents downloaded, any website visited prior to accessing our site and the type of browser used. This information (which is unlikely to contain Personal Information) is collected to monitor the activity on our Websites (including the popularity of certain pages and information presented on our Websites, and linkages to information), to consider improvements to the delivery, presentation and types of information our Websites (including cost/benefit analysis), and ensure the protection of our intellectual property and reputation.
Our Websites do use cookies, which are small text files that are stored your local browser cache when you visit a website. Using cookies makes it possible to recognise the visitor's browser in order to optimise the particular Website and simplify its use. Information collected via cookies is not used by us to determine the personal identity of a visitor. Most browsers are set up to accept these cookies automatically. You can deactivate the storing of cookies or adjust your browser to inform you before a cookie is stored on your computer.
Emailing us
When emailing us, we may make a record your email address, name, and/or other information contained in the email (which may or may not include Personal Information or Health Information). This information is collected by us for the purposes of assisting you in your enquiry, for recording our responses, and for providing our continued service.
Participating in our Research Studies
When participating in a research project or study conducted and/or coordinated by The George Institute (or a third party engaged by us as part of that project or study), we will make a record your Personal Information and Health Information. This information is collected by us for the stated purposes of the particular medical research and analysis, to comply with laws and regulatory guidelines relating to medical research and clinical trials, and importantly to substantiate the findings and publication of research results. The specific purposes and our procedures will be explained to you in obtaining your consent to participate in a particular research project or study (unless an exception under the law applies).
Contacting us
When contacting us (either in person or any phone) to ask questions or to make comments, we may make a record of your name and contacted details and other Personal Information and/or Health Information given to us. This information is collected by us for the purposes of assisting you in your enquiry, for recording our responses, and for providing our continued service.
Funding and donations
When making a monetary donation or other funding to The George Institute, we will make a record of your Personal Information given to us. Collection of this information is to comply with applicable laws and regulations (such as to comply with donation register requirements, and for financial records and tax purposes), and for typical business processing.
General business activities
As part of the ordinary course of business operations, we will capture and record information from our dealings with fundraising partners, business alliances and service providers.
The George Institute is a not-for-profit global medical research institution that seeks (with humanitarian and social motivation) to improve the health of millions of people worldwide through providing the best evidence to guide critical health decisions, engaging with decision makers to enact real change, targeting global epidemics (particularly of chronic diseases and injury), and focusing on vulnerable populations in both rich and poor countries. The collection of information is a core aspect of our being, and the primary purpose for our collection of your Personal Information and Health Information is to achieve this mission. In this regard, however, The George Institute will only collect Personal Information and Health Information by lawful and fair means, and only as necessary for The George Institute’s functions and activities to achieve this mission.
Use and disclosure
The George Institute will only use your Personal Information and/or Health Information for the stated purposes (described above or in study-specific disclosure and consent forms), or for a closely related purpose, or as otherwise permitted by law. In doing so, we may disclose your Personal Information and/or Health Information to our agents and service providers. However, we will only do so where our agents and service providers are bound by the same privacy and confidentiality obligations relating to the protection of such information, and in any event, we will only disclose your Health Information as permitted by law.
Your Personal Information and/or Health Information will not be disclosed by us (or by our agents or service providers) to any third party in any form whatsoever, unless we have obtained your consent or are required to do so by legislation.
Data quality and security
The George Institute takes steps to ensure the information that it collects (including Personal Information and Health Information) is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Clearly written procedures and protocols are in place to ensure the integrity of Health Information collected.
The George Institute uses technical and organisational security precautions to protect the information that it holds (including Personal Information and Health Information) from manipulation, loss, destruction or access by unauthorised persons. Our databases and their contents remain at The George Institute and stay with data processors or servers acting on our behalf and responsible to us.
Our premises are restricted with security measures that include access restrictions, building and floor restrictions, office security and pass-cards, security monitoring and in some instances surveillance.
Our data storage systems are restricted with security measures that include firewalls, access restrictions and limitations, logins and passwords, and audit trails. Processes exist for the storing, back-up and destruction of information and records.
Our security procedures are continuously revised based on new technological developments.
Research Projects and Studies
Personal Information and Health Information that is collected as part of a research project or study is managed according to Privacy Laws, ICH Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice and NHMRC Guidelines. Privacy Laws in respect of a research project or study means the stricter of (i) the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and related regulations, or (ii) the laws applicable to the jurisdiction where the research or study is taking place.
Participants of a research project or study are assigned identification numbers, so that the Personal Information and Health Information of Participants entered into systems are restricted to the specified Researchers conducting the project or study. Such information is not accessible by or provided to other staff, sponsors, or publishers of research findings.
Whenever possible, Health Information will be de-identified, most likely at the end of a particular research project or study. Health Information identifiable to a specific person will not be disclosed in a publication of research findings, except where express consent has been obtained from that person (or is not required pursuant to legislation).
Disclaimers
Sending us Information via the Internet
Please be aware that the World Wide Web or Internet is not a secure environment, and Personal Information and Health Information that is communicated via the Internet is at risk of unauthorised access and use. If you send us any Personal Information and/or Health Information via an internet site or email, you do so at your own risk, and The George Institute will not accept any responsibility for protecting your Personal Information and/or Health Information during transmission this way.
This disclaimer does not apply to Personal Information and/or Health Information that is transmitted from our agents and service providers (or other collection sites) through our secured portals.
Third-Party Websites
Our Website may refer to or provide links to websites that are not owned by The George Institute. Such websites may belong to collaborators or sponsors of our medical research, or medical industry associations. Such third-party websites are the responsibility of the persons/entities who own the websites. The George Institute takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable in any respect from, any content or material placed on or communicated via third-party websites, or the activities or privacy practices of third-party websites.
Third-party websites are not covered by this Privacy Statement or our Privacy Policy, and have their own privacy statements and policies which should be found on the third-party websites.
Further information
Our Privacy Statement and Policy
Please contact us if you have any queries in relation to this Privacy Statement, or wish to request a copy of our Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Statement is readily available on our Websites. We may, from time to time, make changes to this Privacy Statement; however, the latest version will be made available on our Websites.
Your Information held by us
Please advise us if you believe any of your Personal Information and/or Health Information held by us is inaccurate. In some instances, you may request to see your Personal Information and/or Health Information held by us; however, we will only release such information as prescribed by law.
Complaints
Should you have any complaints about the way in which The George Institute, or its agents or service providers, has handled your Personal Information or Health Information, please contact the Privacy Officer.
Contact details
Privacy Officer
Level 13, 321 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
E: privacy@georgeinstitute.org
T: +61 2 9657 0300