Last updated: September 2025

 

1. About this Policy

Flinders Clinic is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This condensed Privacy Policy summarises:

• What information we collect and why

• How we use and share information

• How we keep your information safe

• Your rights to access and correct your information

• How to contact us with privacy concerns

For the full Privacy Policy, please ask reception or visit our website.

 

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect:

• Patients – health and personal details (e.g. medical history, family history, contact details, images, Medicare details).

• Other individuals – staff, contractors, students, suppliers: personal and professional details required for employment, engagement, or services.

You may deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym where practical, but this may limit the services we can provide.

 

3. How We Collect Information

• Directly from you during consultations or interactions.

• From authorised third parties (e.g. other health providers, Government Records such as MyHealth Record, Australian Immunisation Register).

• With your consent (verbal, written, or digital, recorded in your health record), unless authorised by law to do otherwise.

 

4. How We Use and Share Your Information

Your information is primarily used to provide safe, effective health care. Secondary uses (only where permitted) may include:

• Referrals and consultations with other health professionals

• Billing, Medicare/DVA claims, and administrative functions

• Quality assurance, staff training, audits, and accreditation

• Emergency situations where your health or safety is at risk

• Legal requirements such as mandatory reporting or responding to court orders

We may share your information electronically (e.g. secure portals, telehealth) where appropriate.

 

5. Data Storage and Security

Your information may be stored in paper records, electronic systems, or diagnostic equipment. We protect your information through:

• Access controls, encryption, secure networks, and physical safeguards

• Regular staff training and audits

• Destruction or de-identification of information when no longer required (unless law requires retention)

 

6. Privacy Safeguards

• Consent management: You may withdraw or change your consent at any time.

• Data quality: We take reasonable steps to keep your information accurate and up to date.

• Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs): Conducted for new systems and technologies.

• Data breach response: Any breach is promptly investigated, contained, and reported to affected individuals and the OAIC where required.

• Cross-border disclosure: If information is stored or accessed overseas, we ensure privacy protections equivalent to Australian standards.

• Mature minors: Young people under 18 may, depending on maturity, make their own health decisions, including limiting parental access to records.

 

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information (including health records)

• Request corrections if information is inaccurate or incomplete

• Request deletion of your information in some circumstances (“right to erasure”)

• Make a privacy complaint

Requests may attract a reasonable fee for supply of records.

 

8. Website Privacy

When visiting our website, we may collect anonymous usage data (via cookies and analytics). We only collect personal information you choose to provide (e.g. via forms or email). Links to external websites are outside our control and not covered by this policy.

 

9. Contact Us

Privacy Officer – Flinders Clinic

306 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park SA 5046

📧 reception@flindersclinic.com | ☎ 08 8296 8622

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.

 

© 2025 Flinders Clinic (Est. 1956) created by J Rose – Practice Manager.