Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre recognises the practice team requires access to the email and the internet to assist in the efficient and safe delivery of healthcare services to our patient. Our Practice supports the right of our staff to have access to reasonable personal use of 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 member of Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre. Internet and email are provided primarily to assist our team carry out their duties of employment.

Scope

This internet and email policy applies to the Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff member of Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre who access the internet and email on Practice owned devices, including, but not limited to desk phones, smartphones, tablets, desktop computers to perform their work.

Use of the internet by the Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff member is permitted and encouraged where this supports the goals and objectives of Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre. Access to the internet is a privilege and the Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff member must adhere to this policy.

Violation of these policies could result in:

  • Disciplinary and/or legal action
  • Termination of employment
  • The Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff member being held personally liable for damages caused by any violations of this policy

All employees are required to confirm they have understood and agree to abide by this email and internet policy

Policy content

The Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff may use the internet and email access provided by Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre for:

  • Any work and work-related purposes
  • Limited personal use
  • More extended personal use under specific circumstances (please see below)

Limited personal use of email and internet is permitted where it:

  • Infrequent and brief use,
  • Dose not interfere with the duties of the Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff member,
  • Does not interfere with the operation of this Practice,
  • Does not compromise the security of this Practice,
  • Does not impact the Practice electronic storage capacity,
  • Does not decrease the Practice network performance (e.g. large email attachments can decrease the system performance and potentially cause system outages),
  • Does not incur any additional expense to the Practice,
  • Does not violate any legislation and/or,
  • Does not compromise any confidentiality requirements of this Practice.

Unacceptable use of internet and email:

The Practice Team, Contractors, and other Staff may not use internet or email access provided by Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre 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 the 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 and/or,
  • Playing electronic or online games in work time.

Policy review statement

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects the current processes and procedures of Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre and current legislation requirements.

Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre uses Email Disclaimer as shown below:

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

The information contained in this email is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not disclose or use the information in this email in any way and should destroy any copies. Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre does not guarantee the integrity of any emails or attached files. The views or opinions expressed are the author’s own and may not reflect the views or opinions of Parramatta Medical and Dental Centre. To protect your personal and confidential information, please download all the files and delete this email from your email inbox and deleted folder. We will also do the same.

Thank you.