Social media is the term given to online services and tools which allow users to build profiles, communities and networks, and to interact or collaborate with other users by sharing information, opinions, knowledge and interests.
Social media can use a variety of different formats and technologies, including text, images, video and audio.
WA Health uses social media to inform the general public and its stakeholders on state health information. This information may include:
- WA Health news
- media releases
- health alerts
- events
- career opportunities
- healthy living campaigns
- invitations to provide feedback on community consultation projects.
WA Health currently operates the following social media accounts:
The Department's websites are the main source of public and corporate information. Further information can be found at the WA Department of Health website and the consumer focused site Healthy WA.
WA Health does not provide health or medical advice for individuals via its social media accounts.
Acceptable use and expected behaviours
By using or visiting our social media accounts you agree to:
The following behaviour is not acceptable and breaches our terms of use. As a social media user, don't use:
- defamatory, false or misleading information
- our page to promote or advertise a business
- offensive, discriminatory, out of context, violent and obscene content
- copyrighted material unless the original source is attributed
- content that violates any laws or regulations.
The Department of Health reserves the right to remove content that breaches these Terms of Use.
Monitoring
WA Health will monitor the accounts between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday. If you follow WA Health's social media accounts, you can generally expect to receive one or two daily updates Monday to Friday during office hours (9am to 5pm). In the event of a public health incident these hours may be extended.
The WA Health Communications Directorate manages the Twitter, YouTube and Facebook accounts.
The Department accepts no responsibility for Twitter, YouTube and Facebook platform downtime.
Media
Media should contact us via our media enquiry line, (08) 9222 4333 (including after hours).
Endorsements
WA Health does not automatically follow organisations or individuals who follow it.
WA Health may follow relevant organisations and other parties where there is a clear link in communicating and receiving health information.
If you direct a question to the Department regarding a specific issue, we may request that you contact our staff to discuss the issue in more detail.
Alternatively, you may direct your enquiry via the usual channels.
Patient information and patient confidentiality
The Department of Health has a duty of care to maintain patient confidentiality and will not disclose patient information to any individual via its social media accounts.
If you have an enquiry regarding a patient, please contact the hospital or health service directly.
Privacy
WA Health does not routinely capture or record the contact details of any parties following its social media accounts.
However, your email address may be recorded if you contact us and request further information.
Your email address will only be used for the purpose for which you have provided it and will not be added to a mailing list or used for any other purpose without your consent.
Election periods and caretaker conventions
In the period before a State Election, WA Health's social media accounts will be managed in accordance with caretaker conventions published by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
WA Health will notify its followers about the reason for any changes to the frequency or volume of updates.
Security measures and corporate governance
Security measures will be taken in the event that Facebook Page, Twitter account or YouTube channel is infiltrated and used for:
- modification (hacking)
- phishing and identity theft
- email scams and fraud
- SPAM and spyware.
If unauthorised parties compromise the social media platforms, the program will be suspended. The appropriate platform creators will be notified and WA Police Computer Crime Squad will be contacted via email. The incident will be reported via email to Department of Commerce WAScamNet and Federal Government's ScamWatch on 1300 795 995.
Terms of Use review
These Terms of Use are due for review two years from the date of endorsement.
Email the Communications Directorate for further information about these Terms of Use.