Current as of: 23/03/2026
Meeting your privacy obligations
This Privacy Policy explains how Access Cardiology collects, uses, stores, and shares your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Our aim is to provide clear information about how your data is handled and when it may be shared to support your healthcare.
1.Who can I contact about this policy?
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
Practice Manager: Nermine
Access Cardiology
Phone: (08) 9389 8658
2.When and why is your consent necessary?
When you register as a patient of Access Cardiology, you provide consent for our healthcare professionals and staff to access and use your personal information to deliver healthcare services and manage our practice.
Access to your information is limited to authorised team members who require it for your care or for lawful administrative purposes.
If we need to use your information for any purpose not outlined in this policy, we will seek your additional consent.
By receiving care from Access Cardiology, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.
3.Why do we collect, use, store, and share your personal information?
We collect and manage your personal information primarily to:
- Provide safe and effective healthcare services
- Maintain accurate clinical records
- Communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your care
- Manage billing, payments, and administration
- Support quality improvement, accreditation, and staff training
4.What personal information is collected?
We may collect the following information:
- Name, date of birth, address, and contact details
- Medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations, and risk factors
- Referral letters, investigation results, and clinical notes
- Medicare number and healthcare identifiers
- Health fund or billing information
5.How is personal information collected?
We may collect your information in several ways, including:
- During patient registration and appointments
- Through telephone, email, SMS, website, or online booking systems
- From referring doctors, hospitals, allied health providers, Medicare, health funds, or guardians
- Through digital health services such as electronic prescribing or My Health Record (where applicable)
Security footage from CCTV on practice premises may also be collected for safety and security purposes.
Clinical photographs or medical images may be taken where relevant to your care and handled in accordance with privacy obligations.
We always comply with privacy requirements when collecting information from third parties, including obtaining consent where required and ensuring secure handling.
6.When, why, and with whom do we share your personal information?
We may disclose relevant personal information to authorised third-party service providers who assist in the preparation of clinical correspondence, such as secure medical transcription or typing services located within Australia. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality, privacy, and data‑security obligations and may only use the information for the purpose of preparing clinical documents.
We may share your information:
- With healthcare professionals or organisations involved in your treatment
- With service providers supporting our systems or accreditation processes
- Where required or authorised by law (e.g., subpoenas or mandatory reporting)
- To prevent a serious threat to life, health, or public safety
- For confidential dispute resolution or legal claims
We do not disclose your personal information overseas without your consent unless permitted by law.
Only authorised persons who need the information for healthcare or legal purposes can access it.
7.Will your information be used for marketing purposes?
We do not use your personal information for direct marketing without your express consent.
8.How is your information used to improve services?
We may use your information to:
- Review and improve clinical quality and patient safety
- Support staff education and training
- Contribute de-identified data to research or population health initiatives
You may request that your de-identified data is not included in such activities.
The practice may use secure Australian‑based medical transcription or typing services to prepare clinical reports from clinician dictation. Only the minimum necessary information is shared for this purpose, and all transcription providers operate under confidentiality agreements and Australian privacy law requirements.
9.How are document automation technologies used?
We use secure clinical software to generate documents such as referrals, prescriptions, and reports using information already contained in your medical record.
Access to these systems is restricted through individual logins and security controls.
All records are managed in accordance with recognised healthcare privacy and security standards.
10.How is your personal information stored and protected?
Your information may be stored in:
- Secure electronic medical record systems
- Paper records in controlled-access environments
- Medical images, audio, or video records where clinically required
We protect information through:
- Password-protected systems and access controls
- Secure physical storage
- Confidentiality obligations for staff and contractors
- Privacy-compliant handling of CCTV recordings (excluding consulting rooms)
11.How can you access and correct your personal information?
You may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting our practice in writing.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing copies of records (not for the request itself).
We will take reasonable steps to correct inaccurate or outdated information.
12.How can you lodge a privacy complaint?
If you have concerns about privacy, please contact:
Practice Manager – Access Cardiology
Practice Manager: Nermine
Phone: (08) 9389 8658
We will investigate and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
If you are not satisfied, you may contact the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
13.How is privacy on the website maintained?
Any personal information provided through our website, email, social media, or online booking systems is handled securely and confidentially.
Our website may use cookies or analytics to improve user experience.
14.Policy review
This Privacy Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with legal requirements.
Updates will be published on our website, and significant changes may be communicated directly to patients.