How the practice uses social media

What we mean by social media

For this policy, "social media" means online social networks used to share information through online interaction.

Who it applies to

Whether social media is used for practice business or personal reasons, this policy applies to all GPs and practice staff. Each person is legally responsible for their own online activity.

The practice's social media accounts

The practice appoints a staff member as social media officer, responsible for managing and monitoring the practice's accounts. All posts on the practice's social media must be approved by this person. The practice may remove any content at its own discretion.

Staff conduct on practice accounts

When using the practice's social media, staff will not:

• post material that is unlawful, threatening, defamatory, pornographic, inflammatory, menacing or offensive
• post material that infringes another person's rights (including intellectual property) or privacy, or misuses confidential information about our patients, staff or the practice's business
• post material that is, or could be, damaging to the reputation of the practice or another individual
• post material that breaches any of the practice's policies or procedures
• send unsolicited commercial messages, or ask other users to buy, sell or donate
• impersonate another person or organisation, or use someone else's login without permission
• tamper with, hinder or make unauthorised changes to social media sites
• knowingly transmit a virus or other disabling feature
• claim or imply they are speaking for the practice unless authorised to do so
• disclose information that is confidential or proprietary to the practice or a third party
• include copyrighted material such as music, video or text belonging to others

Monitoring and testimonials

The practice's social media channels are part of our customer service and are monitored regularly.

The practice complies with the AHPRA National Law and takes reasonable steps to remove testimonials that advertise its health services, including comments about practitioners. The practice is not responsible for removing unsolicited testimonials on third-party websites or accounts it does not control.

Personal social media use

Staff are free to use social media personally outside work hours, as long as it does not have the potential to bring the practice into disrepute. Personal views must not be presented as the practice's views.

Personal posts must not reveal confidential information about the practice or anyone who uses it, such as details about patients, other staff, or business operations that are not public.

Staff should respect copyright, privacy, fair use, financial disclosure and other applicable laws when posting.

If the policy is breached

All social media activity must follow this policy. Doctors and staff are responsible for their online activity. If a breach is found, a formal meeting with the practice manager will be held to discuss it. Serious breaches may lead to termination of employment.

Policy review

This policy is reviewed every year, or sooner if the need arises.