Health Watch Clinics

Internet and Email Policy

Health Watch Clinics recognizes the practice team requires access to email and the internet to assist in the efficient and safe delivery of healthcare services to our patients. Health Watch Clinics supports the right of staff to have access to reasonable personal use of the internet and email communications in the workplace using the devices and networks provided by the practice.

Purpose and objectives

This policy sets out guidelines for acceptable use of internet and email by the practice team, contractors and other staff of Health Watch Clinics. Internet and email are provided primarily to assist the team carry out their duties of employment.

Scope

Policy content

The practice team, contractors and other staff may use the internet and email access provided by Health Watch Clinics for:

• any work and work-related purposes
• limited personal use
• more extended personal use under specific circumstances (see below)

Limited personal use of email and internet

Limited personal use is permitted where it:

• infrequent and brief use
• does not interfere with the duties of the practice team, contractors and other staff
• does not interfere with the operation of your general practice
• does not compromise the security of your general practice
• does not impact on your general practice electronic storage capacity
• does not decrease your general practice network performance (eg large email attachments can decrease system performance and potentially cause system outages)
• does not incur any additional expense for your general practice
• does not violate any legislation
• does not compromise any confidentiality requirements of your general practice

Examples of what could be considered reasonable personal use could be included in your policy and could include:

• conducting a brief online bank transaction
• paying a bill
• sending a brief personal email, similar to making a brief personal phone call

Unacceptable internet and email use

The practice team, contractors and other staff may not use internet or email access provided by Health Watch Clinics to:

• creating or exchanging messages that are offensive, harassing, obscene or threatening
• visiting web sites containing objectionable (including pornographic) or criminal material
• exchanging any confidential or sensitive information held by your general practice
• creating, storing or exchanging information in violation of copyright laws
• using internet-enabled activities such as gambling, gaming, conducting a business or conducting illegal activities
• creating or exchanging advertisements, solicitations, chain letters and other unsolicited or bulk email
• playing electronic or online games in work time.

Definitions

Policy review statement

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects the current processes and procedures of Health Watch Clinics and current legislation requirements.