Privacy Policy

Purpose

This Privacy Policy outlines how Abbotsford Medical Practice collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant NSW health privacy laws. We are committed to protecting patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and health information necessary to provide quality healthcare. This may include your name, address, date of birth, contact details, Medicare number, health identifiers, medical history, medications, allergies, family history, and results from pathology or imaging. Information may be collected directly from you or from other health professionals involved in your care.

2. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect, use, and hold your information to provide medical care, communicate with you, manage referrals and billing, meet legal obligations, and support quality improvement activities within the practice.

3. How We Store and Protect Your Information

Information may be held in electronic or paper form. We take reasonable steps to protect it from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access using secure systems, password protection, restricted access, and locked storage. When no longer required, information is securely destroyed or de-identified.

4. Use and Disclosure of Information

We will only use or disclose your information for the purpose it was collected unless you consent to another use, it is required by law, or necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety. Disclosures may include other treating professionals, pathology providers, Medicare, or insurers. We will not sell or share information for marketing purposes.

5. Access and Correction

You may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting the Practice Manager. Requests will be handled promptly, and any refusal will include written reasons. If information is inaccurate or outdated, it will be corrected.

6. Overseas Disclosure

We do not routinely disclose information overseas. If it becomes necessary, we will seek your consent and ensure privacy protections are in place.

7. Direct Marketing

We do not use health information for marketing. Occasionally, you may receive health reminders (e.g., vaccination or check-up notices), which you can opt out of at any time.