Privacy Policy
Weston Creek Physiotherapy is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ personal information and health information.
We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and other applicable privacy laws and regulations.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store and protect your personal information.
Why We Collect Your Information
We collect personal and health information to provide high-quality physiotherapy services. This information is used to maintain accurate clinical records, support ongoing treatments, process Medicare and Private health insurance claims, and comply with legal, regulatory and accreditation obligations.
Your information helps us improve our services, patient care, and support the efficient management of our clinic.
What Information We Collect
We may collect and hold the following information:
Personal information
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Emergency contact details
- Medicare details
- Private health insurance details
- Payment and billing information
Health Information
- Medical history
- Injury history
- Referral letters and reports
- Treatment notes
- Diagnostic imaging and test results
- Exercise and rehabilitation records
- Information relating to your physical condition and treatment
3. How We Collect Information
We may collect information:
- Directly from you when you complete forms, book appointments, attend consultations or communicate with us
- From your referring doctor or other healthcare providers
- From family members, carers or guardians where appropriate
- Through our website, online booking systems or patient management software
- From Medicare, private health insurers or other authorised third parties
4. Why We Collect Information
We collect, use and hold personal information for purposes including:
- Providing physiotherapy and related healthcare services
- Assessing, diagnosing and treating health conditions
- Managing appointments and patient records
- Communicating with you regarding your care
- Processing payments and health fund claims
- Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
- Quality assurance, accreditation and risk management activities
- Responding to enquiries and complaints
- Internal administrative purposes
- Marketing and research purposes
5. Disclosure of Information to third parties
We may disclose your personal information to third parties in accordance with this Policy in circumstances where you would reasonably expect us to disclose your information. For example, we may disclose your personal information to:
- Doctors, specialists and other healthcare providers involved in your care
- Medicare, private health insurers and compensation schemes
- Our professional advisers, auditors or insurers
- Third party service providers (for example, technology service providers for business operations)
- Where required or authorised by law
We only disclose information necessary for the relevant purpose.
7. Storage and Security
We securely store personal information in electronic systems and paper-based records. To safeguard this information, we have appropriate technical and administrative processes to prevent unauthorised access.
Access to patient information is limited to authorised personnel to perform their work duties.
8. Data Retention
We retain patient records for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of the last client interaction, unless a longer retention period is required by applicable law, professional obligations or regulatory requirements.
Once information is no longer required, we will securely destroy or de-identify it where permitted by law and consistent with our legal and professional record-keeping obligations.
9. Access and Correction
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.
You may also request correction of information that is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.
Requests should be made in writing using the contact details below.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may require verification of identity before releasing information.
Administrative fees may apply for copying and transferring of records in accordance with clinic policy.
10. Marketing Communications
From time to time, we may send you information about our services, health programs, educational content, clinic updates, promotions or events that may be relevant to you.
We will only send marketing communications where you have consented to receive them.
Marketing communications may be sent by email, SMS, telephone or other electronic means.
You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by contacting us directly using the details provided in this Privacy Policy.
11. Website and Online Services
Our website may collect limited technical information such as:
- IP addresses
- Browser type
- Device information
- Website usage data
We may use cookies and analytics tools to improve website functionality and user experience.
You can control cookies through your browser settings.
12. Privacy Complaints
If you have any concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact our clinic in writing.
We take privacy concerns seriously and will investigate an respond as soon as possible.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The current version will always be available on our website and at our clinic.
14. Contact Us
Weston Creek Physiotherapy
Address: 2/16 Mahony Court Weston ACT 2611
Phone: (02) 6288 8152
Email: admin@westoncreekphysio.com.au
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us.