Social Media Policy
Armstrong Creek Doctors - Social Media Policy
1. Introduction
This policy outlines guidelines for the responsible and professional use of social media by Armstrong Creek Doctors’ team members, both in official and personal capacities. It is designed to mitigate risks, ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations, and protect the privacy and reputation of the practice, its staff, and its patients.
2. Definition of Social Media
For the purposes of this policy, “social media” includes all digital platforms that facilitate communication, sharing, and interaction with online content, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, online forums, and blogs.
3. Purpose
This policy applies to all staff and contractors of Armstrong Creek Doctors, including GPs, administrative staff, nurses, and allied health. All users are legally accountable for their conduct online. Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including possible termination for serious offences.
4. Official Practice Social Media Use
- A designated HR Officer will manage and monitor all official practice social media accounts.
- All content must be approved by the HR Officer before publication.
- Armstrong Creek Doctors reserves the right to remove any content from its accounts at its discretion, especially if it is inappropriate, unprofessional, or potentially damaging.
5. Staff Conduct on Social Media (Official and Personal Use)
Staff must not use social media (either on behalf of the practice or personally) to:
- Post content that is illegal, defamatory, harassing, threatening, offensive, obscene, or discriminatory.
- Disclose confidential information, including patient details, staff matters, or sensitive business operations.
- Breach another person’s privacy or intellectual property rights.
- Imply that personal views are those of the practice.
- Make any comments that could harm the reputation of the practice or its team members.
- Share testimonials or promotional claims in breach of AHPRA advertising guidelines.
- Solicit, promote, or endorse products or services using the practice name without approval.
- Engage in impersonation, unauthorised access, or interference with social media platforms.
6. Personal Social Media Use
While staff may use personal social media outside of work hours, they must:
- Avoid discussing or referencing Armstrong Creek Doctors, its staff, or its patients unless authorised.
- Never share confidential or sensitive information related to the practice.
- Maintain professional boundaries and refrain from “friending” or interacting with patients online.
- Ensure personal social media activity does not bring the practice into disrepute.
7. Monitoring and Response
- Official practice social media accounts are part of the practice’s communication and customer service strategy and must be monitored regularly.
- The HR Officer is responsible for reviewing engagement, addressing inappropriate content, and responding to queries in a timely, professional manner.
8. Testimonials and AHPRA Compliance
- The practice complies with AHPRA National Law, which prohibits publishing testimonials about health services, including practitioner endorsements.
- Reasonable steps will be taken to moderate or remove testimonials from official platforms.
- The practice is not responsible for unsolicited testimonials on third-party sites it does not control.
9. Breaches of Policy
Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including formal warnings or termination, depending on the severity. Legal consequences may also apply for breaches of privacy, copyright, or regulatory guidelines.
10. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if legislative, technological, or operational changes require it. Feedback from staff is welcomed to support ongoing improvements.
