Privacy Policy for The Nutritious Naturopath
last updated: 14/2/24
Introduction
At The Nutritious Naturopath, we are dedicated to safeguarding your privacy and protecting the confidentiality of your personal information, including your health information. This privacy policy is to provide to you information on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within this practice, and the circumstances in which I/we may share it with others.
Consent
When you become a patient of The Nutritious Naturopath, you provide us with consent to access and utilize your personal information to deliver the best possible healthcare services to you. Only authorized staff members who require this information for treatment purposes will have access to it. If we need to use your information for other purposes, we will seek additional consent from you.
Personal Information Collection and Use
We collect your personal information to provide you with effective healthcare services. The primary purposes for collecting, using, and holding your personal information include managing your health and related activities such as financial claims and payments, clinic audits, accreditation, and staff training.
The information we collect may include but is not limited to:
When you make your first appointment we will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
During the course of providing health care services, we may collect further personal information.
We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:
- your guardian or responsible person
- other involved health care providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services
Dealing Anonymously
You have the option to deal with us anonymously or use a pseudonym, except when it is impracticable or legally required to identify individuals.
Personal Information Collection Methods
We may collect your personal information in the following ways:
During your initial registration as a patient
Throughout the course of providing medical services
When you visit our website, send us emails or SMS, contact us via telephone, make online appointments, or communicate through social media
In some cases, we may collect information from other sources, such as your guardian or other healthcare providers, where it is not practical to collect directly from you
Sharing Your Personal Information
We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:
With other healthcare providers involved in your treatment
When required or authorized by law, such as court subpoenas
To prevent a serious threat to a patient's life, health, or safety, or public health or safety, when consent is not feasible
To assist in locating a missing person
To establish, exercise, or defend a legal claim
For confidential dispute resolution processes
When there is a statutory requirement for sharing certain personal information (e.g., mandatory notification of some diseases)
We will only disclose your personal information to third parties with your explicit consent, and we will not transfer your data outside Australia unless permitted by law and with your consent.
Marketing and Data Usage
We will not use your personal information for direct marketing without your express consent. If you do provide consent, you can opt-out of direct marketing at any time by notifying us in writing.
We may use your de-identified data for research and analysis purposes to improve the quality of our healthcare services. Additionally, we may provide de-identified data to other organizations to enhance population health outcomes.
Personal Information Storage and Security
Your personal information may be stored at our clinic as electronic records and visual records (such as photos or videos).
Our clinic stores all personal information securely in an electronic format that is password protected. All staff and contractors have signed confidentiality agreements.
Access and Correction to your personal information
You have the right to request access to and correction of your personal information. To do so, please submit a written request to hello@thenutritiousnaturopath.com.au and we will respond within 30 days. If your information is inaccurate or requires updating, we will take reasonable steps to correct it.
Privacy Complaints
If you have any privacy concerns or complaints, please contact us at hello@thenutritiousnaturopath.com.au We take privacy matters seriously and will address your concerns in accordance with our resolution procedure.
Privacy and Our Website
Our website may collect anonymous information, such as the number, date, and timing of visits, through third-party vendors like Google Analytics, for statistical purposes only. We may also collect personal information you voluntarily provide, such as subscribing to newsletters or participating in our courses, and handle it according to this Privacy Policy.
Mailing List
For email newsletters, we use Mailchimp, a third-party service provider. Your name and email address are stored securely for the purpose of delivering communications. Please refer to Mailchimp's privacy policy for more information.
Policy Review Statement
This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with any changes in relevant laws or regulations.