Effective Date: 03/02/2025

At Precision Osteopathy, we are committed to protecting the privacy of our patients. This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and manage your personal information, in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information from you:

• Personal Identification Information: Name, date of birth, gender, address, phone number, email address, and Medicare/private health insurance details.
• Health Information: Medical history, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment details, and other health-related information relevant to your care.
• Website Usage Information: If you use our website, we may collect data related to your interaction with the site, such as IP address, cookies, and online behavior for website improvement.

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information directly from you in several ways:

• When you book an appointment (online, by phone, or in person).
• During consultations with our osteopaths or other staff.
• Through online forms on our website.
• From referral sources, such as your general practitioner (GP) or other healthcare providers, with your consent.
• From health insurance providers where applicable.

3. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect and use your personal and health information to:

• Provide appropriate osteopathic care and other healthcare services.
• Manage clinic operations, including appointment scheduling, billing, and internal record-keeping.
• Communicate with you regarding your care, upcoming appointments, or follow-up treatment.
• Assist with Medicare or private health insurance claims (where applicable).
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations, such as health records legislation and reporting requirements.
• We are legally required to keep your health information for a period of time. In general, most records must be kept for seven years from the most recent treatment. In the case of childrens’ records, the seven years does not commence until the child turns 18, so we must keep files until the patient turns 25.

4. How We Use and Disclose Your Information

We may use or disclose your personal information for purposes directly related to your care, including:

• Sharing your information with other healthcare professionals involved in your treatment (e.g., GPs, specialists), where necessary and with your consent.
• Providing information to Medicare or private health insurers to facilitate claims.
• Disclosing your information to third-party service providers who support our clinic (e.g., billing software, IT services), who are also obligated to protect your privacy.
• Under specific schemes such as workers compensation and traffic accident schemes we may be required to provide health information to its insurers.
• Complying with legal obligations or court orders that require disclosure of personal information.

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, misuse, loss, or disclosure. This includes:

• Electronic Records: Protected by encryption, secure passwords, and restricted access.
• Physical Records: Kept in locked cabinets and only accessible to authorized personnel.

We retain your information for the period required by law, after which it will be securely destroyed or de-identified.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information held by us, subject to certain exceptions.
• Request corrections to your personal information if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Withdraw consent to certain uses of your information (e.g., receiving marketing material).
• Complain if you believe we have breached your privacy.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.

7. Complaints and Contact Information

If you have any concerns about how we manage your personal information or if you wish to make a complaint, please contact us:

Precision Osteopathy
Address: 16 Fairway Street, Frankston VIC 3199
Phone: 0480 693 946
Email: info@precisionosteopathy.com.au

We will investigate your complaint and respond to you within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can escalate the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or call 1300 363 992.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website and, where appropriate, notifying you directly.