Privacy Policy
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At Woonona Medical Practice, we are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. We handle your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, and relevant NSW health privacy laws.
What We Collect
We collect information necessary to provide you with high-quality medical care, such as:
– Your name, address, date of birth, gender, contact details
– Health and medical history, medications, test results
– Medicare details and billing information
We may collect this information:
– Directly from you in person, over the phone, in writing, or online
– From other healthcare providers (e.g. specialists, hospitals, pathology)
– From family or friends in emergencies
This information constitutes part of your medical file.
Use and Disclosure of Information
Your personal and health information is treated as confidential and is used only for:
- Providing you with medical care and treatment
- Managing our practice and supporting clinical decision-making
- Liaising with other healthcare providers (e.g. sharing results with your specialist)
We may also be legally required to share your information with:
- Medicare, health insurers, government bodies, courts, or the police
- Contractors such as IT providers or debt collectors (bound by confidentiality)
We do not transfer personal data overseas unless required by law or with your consent.
We may use secure, clinically approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in supporting patient care, diagnostics, administrative functions, and service improvements. Any AI technologies used operate under strict data protection protocols and are overseen by qualified health professionals.
We do not transfer personal data overseas unless required by law or with your consent.
How We Protect Your Information
We take all reasonable steps to keep your data safe and accurate, including:
– Secure premises and CCTV in common areas
– Password-protected systems with limited access
– Locked cabinets for paper files
We ask patients to update their contact details regularly.
Retention of Records
Your medical records are retained:
– Until you are at least 25 years old (if under 18 when treated), or
– At least 7 years from your last consultation – whichever is longer
Inactive electronic records are retained indefinitely, as required by law. Paper records are securely destroyed when no longer needed.
Access and Corrections
You may request access to your personal information. We ask that you:
– Submit requests in writing
– Allow reasonable time for a response
– Pay any applicable administrative fees
In rare cases, we may deny access (e.g. where it may cause harm), and we’ll explain why.
To update incorrect or outdated information, please contact us in writing.
Use of Our Website
Our website may collect non-identifiable information (e.g. browser type, pages viewed) to help us improve the site. No personal information is collected unless you voluntarily submit it (e.g. via a contact form).
Complaints
If you have a complaint or believe we have breached your privacy, please contact us in writing. We will investigate and respond under our complaints procedure.
If unresolved, you may contact:
NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
T: 1800 043 159 | E: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
W: www.hccc.nsw.gov.au
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
T: 1300 363 992 | W: www.oaic.gov.au
Privacy NSW
W: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/privacynsw | E: privacy_nsw@agd.nsw.gov.au
Contact Us
Woonona Medical Practice
Attn: Privacy Officer
44 Hopetoun Street, Woonona NSW 2517
P: (02) 4283 3433 | F: (02) 4283 1955
This policy is current as of July 2025 and may be updated periodically. The latest version will always be available at our practice or on request.
