Privacy Policy: East Melbourne Acupuncture

This Privacy Policy aims to clearly explain how your personal information is recorded and managed by East Melbourne Acupuncture in accordance with the Privacy Act Australia. We are happy to discuss the information in this policy with you at any time.

Types of personal information we collect

We collect and store personal information necessary to provide safe and effective healthcare, including:

• Your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, home address and job title

• Your GP or specialist doctor information

• Medical history, medications, allergy information and clinical notes, including where appropriate, blood test results, scans or other medical testing results.

• Emergency contact details

• Billing and Private Health Fund information

• Referral letters and reports from other treating practitioners

How we collect and store information

Personal information is collected directly from you when you book with us, either online, via phone or email, or from referring practitioners with your knowledge. All information is recorded and stored in digital format via an encrypted practice management software service, protected by password access and accessible only to authorised practitioners or staff.

Why we collect personal information

We collect personal information in order to provide healthcare treatment and to coordinate your care with other healthcare professionals, such as GP’s, medical specialists, allied health professionals and support staff. Information is also collected to process billing and to meet our legal and professional requirements.

Personal information use and disclosure

Your personal information is confidential and will not be shared with third parties unless:

• You have given your consent

• In an emergency involving a serious risk to life or safety

• As required by law

Accessing or correcting your personal information

You may request access to, or the correction of, your personal information by contacting East Melbourne Acupuncture using the contact information given above. We will respond within 14 days.

Concerns and complaints‍ ‍

If you believe your personal information has been inappropriately handled, please contact us directly using the contact information given above. We will respond to your complaint within 14 days. If you remain unsatisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

www.oaic.gov.au‍ ‍

1300 363 992

Enquiries@oaic.gov.au‍ ‍

Disclosure of personal information outside Australia

We do not routinely disclose personal information to overseas recipients. Should third party software or clous services used in our practice store data outside Australia, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles

Retention and destruction

Personal information will be retained after the patient’s last appointment for as long as is required by law (7 years for an adult or until age 25 for a minor).

When no longer required, digital records will be permanently deleted.

All information given in hand-written format will be transferred to a scanned digital copy and the original document will be shredded.

Policy Updates

This policy is reviewed periodically. The current version is available at our practice and on our website.

Last reviewed: June 2026