We collect personal information to provide safe, effective and ongoing healthcare services.

This may include:

• Providing medical care and maintaining accurate health records
  
• Managing appointments, billing and payments
  
• Communicating with you via phone, SMS, email or secure messaging
  
• Supporting quality improvement, accreditation and staff training activities
  
• Meeting legal and regulatory obligations
  

The information we collect may include:

• Name, date of birth and contact details
  
• Address and emergency contact information
  
• Medicare, healthcare identifier and health fund details
  
• Medical history, medications, allergies and immunisation records
  
• Family history and relevant health risk factors
  
• Clinical notes, correspondence and diagnostic results
  

We may also collect images, recordings or other information relevant to your healthcare where appropriate.

We may collect your information when you:

• Register as a patient
  
• Attend appointments
  
• Contact us by phone, email or SMS
  
• Book appointments online
  
• Use our website or social media channels
  

We may also receive information from:

• Other healthcare providers
  
• Specialists and hospitals
  
• Allied health professionals
  
• Medicare and government agencies
  
• Your guardian or authorised representative

Your personal information may be shared when necessary to support your healthcare or where required by law.

This may include:

• Referrals to specialists and other healthcare providers
  
• Pathology and diagnostic imaging providers
  
• Hospitals and community health services
  
• Accreditation bodies and contracted service providers
  
• Government agencies where legally required
  

We do not disclose your information overseas without your consent unless permitted by law.

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies and analytics tools.

This may include:

• IP address
  
• Device and browser information
  
• Pages visited
  
• Time spent on the website
  
• Referral sources
  
• General location information
  

This information helps us:

• Monitor website performance
  
• Improve website functionality and user experience
  
• Understand how visitors use our website
  
• Maintain website security
  

Cookies are small files stored on your device that help websites function effectively and allow us to analyse website traffic. Most web browsers allow you to manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

Our practitioners may use approved AI-assisted clinical documentation tools to support note-taking during consultations.

These tools:

• Assist with creating clinical notes
  
• Are reviewed by your practitioner before being added to your medical record
  
• Are not used for automated clinical decision-making
  
• Do not use your information to train AI models without consent
  

Patients may choose to opt out of AI transcription during consultations.

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information.

This includes:

• Secure electronic medical record systems
  
• Individual user logins and password protection
  
• Staff privacy training
  
• Cybersecurity policies and system monitoring
  
• Controlled access to patient information
  

Our practice also uses CCTV in selected communal areas for security purposes. CCTV does not operate within consulting or treatment rooms.

You may request access to your personal information or ask us to correct inaccurate information.

• Requests should be made in writing.
  
• We aim to respond within 30 days.
  
• Administrative fees may apply for record transfers or copies.
  

To request access or updates to your records, please contact reception@ovmc.com.au.

We may use de-identified information to support:

• Clinical audits
  
• Quality improvement activities
  
• Healthcare research
  
• Population health initiatives
  

Patients cannot be identified from de-identified information provided for these purposes.

You may advise our team if you do not wish your de-identified information to be included.

If you have any questions, concerns or complaints regarding privacy, please contact our Practice Manager:

Email: pmgr@ovmc.com.au

Phone: (08) 6140 1720

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

Website: www.oaic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 363 992

Privacy Note: By attending Ocean Village Medical Centre, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. We regularly review our privacy practices to ensure compliance with current privacy legislation and healthcare standards.

This format will visually match the style of your Results, Recalls & Reminders page and be much easier for patients to scan and understand while still covering the content from the original policy.