Introduction
Gordon Family Practice is committed to protecting your privacy and managing your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and store your personal and health information, and how you can access or correct your information or make a privacy complaint.
What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect personal and sensitive information including:
Name, date of birth, gender and contact details
Medicare number, healthcare identifier, private health insurance details
Emergency contact and next-of-kin details
Medical history, family history and treatment records
Test results, specialist reports and referrals
Billing and payment information
Information collected during appointments, telehealth, or online forms
Health information is considered sensitive information and receives additional legal protections under Australian privacy law.
How We Collect Your Information
We collect information:
Directly from you during consultations, registrations or forms
Through our website, online booking systems or telehealth platforms
From other healthcare providers involved in your care (with consent where required)
From Medicare, My Health Record, pathology or imaging providers
From authorised representatives such as guardians or carers
Why We Collect and Use Your Information
We collect and use your information to:
Provide medical care and treatment
Manage appointments and reminders
Communicate test results and referrals
Prepare care plans and health assessments
Process billing and Medicare claims
Meet legal and regulatory obligations
Improve quality and safety of healthcare services
Disclosure of Information
Your personal information may be shared:
With healthcare professionals involved in your care
With pathology, imaging, hospitals, specialists or allied health providers
With Medicare or health insurers for claiming purposes
When required or authorised by law
In emergency situations where disclosure is necessary to prevent serious threats to life, health or safety
We do not sell or rent your personal information.
My Health Record
Where authorised, clinicians may access or upload information to your My Health Record for the purpose of providing healthcare. Access is restricted to staff involved in your care and follows national privacy rules.
You can manage privacy settings for your My Health Record through your myGov account.
How We Store and Protect Information
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. This includes:
Secure electronic medical record systems
Password protection and access controls
Staff confidentiality agreements
Secure storage of paper records (where applicable)
Restricted staff access based on role
You can manage privacy settings for your My Health Record through your myGov account.
Accessing or Correcting Your Information
You may request access to your personal information or ask us to correct inaccurate information at any time.
Requests should be made in writing to the practice.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe (generally within 30 days).
Identification may be required before information is released.
A reasonable administrative fee may apply for providing copies of records.
You can manage privacy settings for your My Health Record through your myGov account.
Website & Online Services
Our website may collect limited technical information such as:
IP address
Browser type
Pages visited
This information helps improve website performance and user experience. We do not use this data to identify individuals unless required by law.
You can manage privacy settings for your My Health Record through your myGov account.
Marketing & Communications
We may send appointment reminders or health-related information relevant to your care. We will not use your health information for direct marketing without your consent.
You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in law or our practices. The latest version will always be available on our website.
Contact Us
Gordon Family Practice
Gordon Shops 2/114 Lewis Luxton Ave Gordon ACT 2906
Phone: 62940990
Email: reception@gordonfamilypractice.com.au
