Internet, Email, and Phone Use

Electronic communication

At Test Medical Centre Foundation electronic communication is used primarily for clinical support and practice business. It must meet our legal obligations for patient confidentiality and privacy and the practice's expectations for respect and courtesy.

See MCNZ: Statement on use of the internet and electronic communication

Internet

We should all use the internet responsibly and try to keep the practice's IT systems safe and virus-free. Internet use is generally limited to activities that support patient care. Staff need permission from the practice manager for personal use.

Do not transfer patient information from the practice network onto electronic data storage devices (such as CDs and USB flash drives), unless the practice manager gives their permission.

Email

Staff are expected to respond to practice emails promptly, and to observe good email practice.

Emails sent and received on work email accounts are the property of Test Medical Centre Foundation. Any communication sent or received on a work email account should not be considered private and practice management is entitled to view or access it at any time.

Mobile phones and other personal devices

Consider your environment and use good judgement to ensure that what you are doing has a minimal impact on practice work, other staff, and patients.

• Personal use of mobile phones should be kept to a minimum, for important or urgent communications only.
• Only use a mobile phone at reception or other public areas of the practice if it is for on-call purposes.
• Ideally, keep personal mobile phones away from work areas and on silent for calls, texts, and other notifications to avoid distractions.
• Use break areas and break times to use personal phones or other devices.
• Use headphones when listening to music or other audio content, and only do so away from patient areas.

Social media

Staff should follow the practice guidelines and be careful not to blur the boundaries between personal and professional use. Social media posts can have a much wider audience than initially intended and could be viewed without your permission.

Inappropriate use of electronic communication may be considered serious misconduct and could result in disciplinary action.