Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Dr. Martin Smith's Sports & Exercise Medicine practice (“we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our practice or use our services.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

• Name, date of birth, and contact details
• Medicare number and private health insurance details
• Emergency contact information
• Referring doctor details

Health Information

• Medical history and current health conditions
• Medications and allergies
• Test results and imaging reports
• Treatment plans and clinical notes
• Sports participation and injury history

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide medical treatment and healthcare services
• Manage your appointments and medical records
• Process Medicare and health insurance claims
• Communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your care
• Send appointment reminders and health information (with your consent)
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Improve our services and clinical outcomes

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

• Other healthcare providers involved in your treatment (with your consent)
• Medical specialists, allied health professionals, and hospitals
• Medicare and private health insurers for billing purposes
• Pathology and imaging services
• Legal authorities when required by law
• Sports organisations (only with your explicit consent)

We will not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including:

• Secure storage of physical and electronic records
• Password protection and encryption of digital files
• Restricted access to authorised personnel only
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on privacy and confidentiality

6. Your Rights

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

• Access your personal and health information
• Request corrections to your records
• Receive a copy of your medical records
• Request restrictions on how we use your information
• Lodge a complaint about privacy breaches

7. Website Privacy

Cookies

Our website uses cookies to enhance user experience and analyse website traffic. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. For detailed information, please see our Cookie Policy.

Contact Forms

Information submitted through our contact forms is used solely to respond to your enquiry and schedule appointments.

Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage patterns. This data is anonymised and does not identify individual users.

8. Third-Party Services

We may use third-party services for:

• Appointment scheduling systems
• Secure messaging platforms
• Cloud storage for backup purposes
• Email communication services

All third-party providers are required to maintain appropriate security and confidentiality standards.

9. Data Retention

We retain medical records in accordance with Australian healthcare regulations, typically for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last service (or until a patient reaches 25 years of age, whichever is longer). Records may be retained longer if clinically relevant or legally required.

10. Children's Privacy

For patients under 18 years of age, we may need to involve parents or guardians in healthcare decisions. We respect the developing autonomy of young patients and handle their information with appropriate confidentiality based on their maturity and the nature of the healthcare service.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

13. Privacy Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us directly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or call 1300 363 992.

14. Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Queensland Health Records Act. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality in healthcare.