Privacy Policy (Updated for Website)

Current as of: 04/2026

The objective of this privacy notice is to provide you, our patients, with clear information on how your personal information is collected and used within the practice. Occasionally, we may need to share your personal information to involve others in your healthcare. This policy outlines when, how, and why we share your information.

1. Who can I contact about this policy?

For enquiries, please contact any of our clinics:

• Brisbane Street: brisbane@phmc.au

• Shakespeare Street: shakespeare@phmc.au

• Celeber Drive: andergrove@phmc.au

2. When and why is your consent necessary?

When you register as a patient, you provide consent for our GPs and staff to access and use your personal information to deliver healthcare.

Access is limited to team members involved in your care.

If we use your information for anything outside of healthcare provision, we will obtain additional consent.

👉 This includes technologies such as AI-assisted note-taking, where your doctor will explain the process and seek your consent before use.

3. Why do we collect, use, store, and share your information?

We collect and use your information to:

• Provide healthcare services

• Maintain accurate medical records

• Manage billing and payments

• Support quality improvement, accreditation, and staff training

4. What personal information is collected?

We may collect:

• Name, DOB, address, contact details

• Medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations, risk factors

• Medicare number

• Healthcare identifiers

• Health fund details

5. Can you deal with us anonymously?

Where possible, you may choose to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym.

However, in most healthcare situations this may:

• Limit the care we can provide

• Prevent prescriptions

• Prevent Medicare or health fund claims

6. How is personal information collected?

We collect information in several ways:

• When you register or attend appointments

• Via website, email, SMS, phone, or online bookings

• From other healthcare providers, Medicare, DVA, or health funds

We may also collect:

• CCTV footage (public areas only for safety/security)

• Medical images or photos (with your consent)

7. When, why, and with whom do we share your information?

We may share your information:

• With healthcare providers involved in your care

• With third parties (e.g. IT providers, accreditation bodies)

• When required by law

• To prevent serious threats to health or safety

• Via My Health Record or electronic prescribing

Overseas disclosure & third-party systems

We primarily store your information within Australia.

However, we may use secure third-party systems (such as clinical documentation or AI tools) that involve limited overseas processing.

✔️ What this means for you:

• Your data is protected under strict privacy and security safeguards

• We take reasonable steps to ensure providers comply with Australian Privacy Principles

• Your information is not stored overseas unless permitted by law or with your consent

8. Marketing

We will not use your personal information for marketing without your consent.

You can opt out at any time.

9. How your information helps improve services

We may use de-identified data for:

• Quality improvement

• Staff training

• Population health outcomes

You can opt out by advising reception.

10. Document automation technologies

We use secure medical software to generate documents like referrals.

✔️ Only relevant medical information is included
✔️ Systems are protected by secure logins and access controls

11. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scribes

Some doctors use AI scribes to assist with clinical documentation.

• Not all doctors use this technology

• Your doctor will explain and obtain your consent before use

• You can decline at any time

AI scribes may:

• Use audio recordings to generate notes

• Involve secure third-party providers

• Include limited overseas processing in some cases

✔️ Safeguards in place:

• Data is handled securely

• Providers must meet Australian privacy standards

• Information is not stored offshore unless permitted by law

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12. Storage and security of your information

Your information is stored securely in:

• Electronic systems (password protected, antivirus, backups)

• Secure paper records

We also use:

• Confidentiality agreements for staff

• CCTV in public areas only (not in consult rooms)

13. Accessing and correcting your information

You may request access or correction of your records.

Requests must be made in writing using our practice forms.

14. Privacy complaints

If you have concerns, contact us:

📞 07 4951 1311
📬 PO Box 1103, Mackay QLD 4740

📧 Clinics:

• Brisbane Street: brisbane@phmc.au

• Shakespeare Street: shakespeare@phmc.au

• Celeber Drive: andergrove@phmc.au

You can also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
📞 1300 363 992
🌐 www.oaic.gov.au

15. Website privacy

Information shared via our website, email, or social media is handled securely.

We use analytics and cookies.

16. Social media and privacy

We ask all patients and visitors to respect privacy:

• Do not photograph or record others without permission

• Do not share patient or staff information online

17. Policy review

This policy is regularly reviewed.

Updates will be published on our website and may be communicated directly.