Privacy Policy

Current as of: 10th November 2024

Introduction

This privacy policy is to provide to you information on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within this practice, and the circumstances in which I/we may share it with others.

Why and when your consent is necessary

When you become a patient of this practice, you provide consent for myself (Sharna Duxson) to access and use your personal information so I can provide you with the best possible health care. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If I need to use your information for anything else, I will seek consent from you to do this. If you do not provide this information; we may be unable to treat you.

Why do I collect, use, hold and share your personal information?

This practice will need to collect your personal information to provide quality health care services to you. The main purpose for collecting, using, holding, and sharing your personal information is to thoroughly assess and manage your health needs. I also use it for administrative purposes of the practice, billing, for directly related business activities, such as payments, practice audits, and business processes.

What personal information do I collect?

The information collected about you includes your:

  • names, date of birth, addresses, contact details, occupation
  • medical information including presenting complaint, medical history, current and previous medications, known allergic reactions, adverse events, immunisations, past and family history, relevant lifestyle history, risk factors, findings from pathology tests or other investigations.

Anonymous Engagement

You have the right to deal with me anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.

How do I collect your personal information?

This practice may collect your personal information in several different ways.

  1. When you make your first appointment I will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
  2. During the course of providing health care services, I may collect further personal information.
  3. I may also collect your personal information when you visit the website, send an email or SMS, telephone call, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
  4. In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:
    • your guardian or responsible person
    • other involved health care providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services
    • your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary).

When, why and with whom do I share your personal information?

I will only disclose your personal information for the purpose or purposes of consultation with another practitioner or as otherwise permitted by law and only with your consent. This may include disclosure of information to your doctors or other health professionals. In the case of insurance or compensation claim it may be necessary to disclose and or collect information that concerns your return to work to an insurer or your employer.

Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing health care services or as otherwise described in this policy, this practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.

I will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.

This practice will not use your personal information for marketing any goods or services to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying this practice in writing.

This practice may use your personal information to improve the quality of the services offered to patients through research and analysis of patient data.

How do I store and protect your personal information?

Your personal information may be stored at our practice via electronic records, and may include; pathology results functional testing results, clinical videos and photos.  

This practice stores all personal information securely, with 2-factor authentication security.

How can you access and correct your personal information?

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.

This practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. I require you to put this request in writing via email to info@duxnaturopathy.com.au and I will respond within a 30 days.

I will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, I will ask you to verify that your personal information is correct and current. You may also request that I correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing via email to info@duxnaturopathy.com.au.

How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at this practice?

I take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing via email to info@duxnaturopathy.com.au. I will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with our resolution procedure within 30 days.

You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Generally, the OAIC will require you to give them time to respond before they will investigate. For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.

Website Privacy

Websites may collect two types of information: personal and non-personal data.

Personal Information: Websites may collect personal information like name, email address, and other details voluntarily provided by users. This information is typically gathered through account creation, contact forms, or subscriptions. It is used to provide personalized services, communicate with users, and fulfill requests.

Non-Personal Information: Websites often automatically collect non-personal data, including IP addresses, browser types, and browsing behavior, to analyze site performance, improve user experience, and understand how visitors interact with content.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Websites use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking tools to remember user preferences, enable specific functionalities, and analyze site usage. Users can usually control cookie preferences in their browser settings.

Data Sharing: Collected information may be shared with third-party service providers for purposes like data analysis, customer support, and marketing.

Data Security: Websites implement security measures to protect collected data from unauthorized access, alteration, and disclosure. However, users are advised that no online platform can guarantee absolute security.

Policy review statement

This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is in accordance with any changes that may occur. Any reviews or changes will be published to our website with date of recent revisions.