Privacy Policy

Totum Medical Harrington

Totum Medical Harrington (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal and health information.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Name, date of birth, address, and contact details
  • Medicare number and other healthcare identifiers
  • Medical history, family history, and clinical records
  • Information relating to diagnoses, treatments, and medications
  • Test results and referrals
  • Billing and payment information
  • Emergency contact details

Health information is considered sensitive information and is handled in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

3. How We Collect Personal Information

Personal information may be collected in various ways, including:

  • During in-person consultations
  • Via telephone or email communication
  • Through appointment bookings or online forms
  • From other healthcare providers, including specialists, hospitals, and pathology services
  • From authorised representatives, carers, or guardians

Where practicable, information is collected directly from the patient.

4. Purpose of Collecting Personal Information

We collect and use personal information for the primary purpose of:

  • Providing medical care and treatment
  • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records
  • Communicating with patients regarding appointments and care
  • Managing referrals to other healthcare providers
  • Processing Medicare claims and billing

We may also use personal information for:

  • Administrative and practice management purposes
  • Quality assurance and accreditation requirements
  • Legal and regulatory obligations

5. Disclosure of Personal Information

Personal information may be disclosed where necessary for patient care or where required by law, including to:

  • Specialists, hospitals, and allied health providers
  • Pathology and diagnostic services
  • Medicare and other government agencies
  • Accreditation and regulatory bodies
  • Third parties where patient consent has been obtained

We do not disclose personal information for unrelated purposes without consent unless required or authorised by law.

6. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

Information is stored securely in electronic and/or physical formats, with access limited to authorised personnel.

7. Access and Correction

Patients have the right to request access to their personal information and request corrections where necessary.

Requests should be made in writing or by contacting the practice directly. Identification may be required before access is provided.

8. Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, you may contact the practice.

If the matter is not resolved, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

9. Overseas Disclosure

We do not routinely disclose personal information to overseas recipients. If this occurs, it will be managed in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

10. Contact Details

Totum Medical Harrington
Phone: (02) 4331 2730