Privacy Policy

1. Purpose

This Privacy Policy explains how The Bowel Clinic collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal and health information. We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant State/Territory health records legislation.

2. What Information We Collect

We collect personal and health information necessary to provide safe, effective medical care and to meet our legal obligations. This may include:

Identifying details (name, date of birth, address, contact details)
Referral information from your GP or other healthcare providers
Medical history, test results, and clinical notes
Medicare, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or private health insurance details
Payment details (e.g. credit card, billing address)
Emergency contact details

3. How We Collect Information

Information may be collected:

Directly from you (e.g. patient registration form, consultation)
From your GP, referring doctor, or other healthcare providers
From diagnostic services (e.g. pathology, imaging providers)
Through Medicare, health funds, or other government agencies (where relevant)

4. How We Use Your Information

Your information is primarily used to provide you with safe and effective medical care. It may also be used for:

Communication with your GP, referring doctor, or other healthcare providers involved in your care
Billing, processing Medicare/private health fund claims, and practice administration
Accreditation, quality assurance, and staff training
Meeting legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. reporting notifiable diseases)

We will not use or disclose your information for other purposes without your consent, unless permitted or required by law.

5. Disclosure of Information

We may disclose information to:

Other treating healthcare professionals (with your consent, implied or explicit)
Medicare, health insurers, and billing agencies
Hospitals, pathology, and radiology providers involved in your care
Regulatory bodies if required by law (e.g. AHPRA, courts, statutory reporting)

We do not disclose information to overseas recipients unless specifically authorised by you.

6. Data Storage & Security

Records are stored in secure, password-protected electronic systems, with restricted staff access.
Paper records (if any) are stored in locked facilities.
Credit card details are processed and stored securely in compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

7. Access & Correction

You have the right to request access to your personal and health information.
Requests must be made in writing. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may charge a fee to cover administrative costs.
You may request corrections if your information is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated.

8. Retention & Disposal

Medical records are retained in accordance with legal requirements (generally 7 years from the last patient contact, or until age 25 if the patient was under 18).
When records are no longer required, they are securely destroyed in accordance with health records legislation.

9. Confidentiality of Staff

All staff at The Bowel Clinic are bound by confidentiality agreements and professional codes of conduct.
Breaches of confidentiality are treated seriously and may result in disciplinary or legal action.

10. Privacy Concerns or Complaints

If you have concerns about how your information is handled:

Please contact the Privacy Officer at The Bowel Clinic by phone 0468 526 700 or email
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992.

11. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect legislative or operational changes. The latest version will always be available at reception and on our website.