Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal and health information.

Essential Care ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

Section 1

Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Full name, date of birth, gender, and contact details (address, phone number, email)
Medicare number, health fund details, and other government identifiers
Medical history, health records, diagnoses, treatment plans, and test results
Emergency contact details and next of kin information
Billing and payment information

Section 2

How We Use Your Information

Your personal and health information is collected and used for the following purposes:

Providing medical care, treatment, and health services
Managing appointments and patient administration
Processing billing, Medicare claims, and health fund rebates
Communicating with other healthcare providers involved in your care (e.g., specialists, hospitals, allied health professionals)
Fulfilling legal and regulatory obligations
Sending appointment reminders and health-related communications

Section 3

How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Our safeguards include:

Secure electronic medical record systems with access controls
Physical security measures at our premises
Staff training on confidentiality and privacy obligations
Secure disposal of personal information when no longer required

Section 4

Disclosure of Your Information

We will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may disclose your information to:

Other healthcare providers involved in your care, with your consent
Pathology laboratories and diagnostic imaging services
Medicare, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, or health insurers for billing purposes
Government authorities where required by law (e.g., mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases)

Section 5

Your Rights

You have the right to:

Request access to your personal and health information held by us
Request corrections to inaccurate or outdated information
Withdraw consent for certain uses of your information
Lodge a complaint if you believe your privacy has been breached

To make a request, please contact our reception team during business hours. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

Section 6

Cookies and Website Data

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience. These do not collect personally identifiable health information. You may disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.

Section 7

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The latest version will always be available on our website. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

Section 8

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a complaint, please contact us:

Essential Care

6 Amy Street, Regents Park NSW

Phone: (02) 9644 1866

Email: essentialcare2014@gmail.com

You may also lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.

Related Policy

Learn how we manage social media use within our practice.

View Social Media Policy →

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