Privacy Policy

Our commitment to your privacy

Access Care Podiatry ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information with care, respect, and confidentiality.

As a provider of health services, we are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Because we deliver care across New South Wales and Victoria, we also comply with the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic), and the health privacy principles set out in each. These laws apply to us regardless of the size of our business, because we handle health information.

This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we may share it with, and how you can access, correct, or raise concerns about your information.

The information we collect

Personal information. This may include your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, and emergency or next of kin contact details.

Health information. Because we provide podiatry care, we collect sensitive health information necessary to assess and treat you. This may include your medical history, current conditions, medications, mobility and foot health, assessment findings, treatment notes, referral information, and details relevant to your care.

Funding and plan information. Where relevant, we collect information about your NDIS plan, aged care or Support at Home arrangement, plan manager, support coordinator, care manager, or aged care facility, so we can deliver and arrange your care.

Website information. When you use our website or booking form, we may collect the information you provide (such as your name, contact details, suburb, and a description of what you need), along with limited technical information such as your device type and general usage data.

How we collect your information

We collect information directly from you wherever possible, including:

• ·Through our website booking and enquiry form
• ·By phone, email, or in person
• ·During your appointments and the course of your care

We may also collect information from others where you have agreed, or where it is reasonably necessary for your care, such as from your GP, support coordinator, care manager, aged care facility, plan manager, family member or carer, or another treating health professional.

Why we collect and use your information

We collect, hold, and use your information to:

• ·Provide podiatry assessment, treatment, and ongoing care
• ·Communicate with you about your appointments and care
• ·Arrange and coordinate your care with other providers, facilities, or coordinators
• ·Process bookings, invoicing, and claims through your NDIS plan, plan manager, or aged care arrangement
• ·Maintain accurate clinical records
• ·Meet our professional, legal, and regulatory obligations
• ·Respond to your enquiries and improve our services

We will only use your information for the purpose for which it was collected, a directly related purpose you would reasonably expect, or where you have given consent, or where we are required or authorised by law.

Consent

By providing your information and engaging our services, you consent to us collecting, holding, using, and disclosing your personal and health information as described in this policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us, though please note this may affect our ability to provide your care.

How we share your information

We treat your information as confidential and we do not sell your personal or health information.

We may share your information, with your consent or where reasonably necessary for your care, with:

• ·Other health professionals involved in your care, such as your GP or specialists
• ·Your support coordinator, care manager, plan manager, or aged care facility
• ·The National Disability Insurance Agency, Services Australia, or relevant aged care bodies, where required for funding or claiming
• ·Your nominated family member, carer, or representative
• ·Our service providers who help us operate, such as secure software, booking, or invoicing systems, who are bound to protect your information

We may also disclose your information where we are required or authorised by law, or to prevent a serious threat to a person's life, health, or safety.

Storing and protecting your information

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. This includes secure electronic record systems, access controls, and confidentiality obligations.

We use Cliniko, an Australian practice management system, to securely store and manage your health records and invoicing. Cliniko stores health information for Australian accounts on servers located in Australia.

Our website enquiry form is hosted using Netlify. Information you submit through the form may be stored or processed on servers located overseas, including in the United States. Where information is stored or processed overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure it remains protected in line with this policy and applicable privacy laws.

How long we keep your information

We retain health records for the period required by law in the states where we provide care. In both New South Wales and Victoria, this generally means keeping adult health records for at least seven years from the date of your last service, and for a child, until they reach the age of 25. After this period, we securely destroy or de-identify records that are no longer required.

Accessing and correcting your information

You have the right to request access to the personal and health information we hold about you, and to ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete.

To make a request, please contact us using the details below. We will respond within a reasonable time. In some limited circumstances we may decline a request, in which case we will explain why.

Our website

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to help it function and to understand general usage. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, though some parts of the site may not work as intended.

Our website may also contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those external sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Making a complaint

If you have a concern about how we have handled your information, please contact us first using the details below, and we will do our best to resolve it.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact:

• ·The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au
• ·In New South Wales, the Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
• ·In Victoria, the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) at www.hcc.vic.gov.au

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on our website, with the date it was last updated shown at the top.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this policy or your information, please contact:

Basel Omar, Director

Phone: 0426 810 187

Email: info@accesscarepodiatry.com.au

ABN: 29 787 219 343