Riverview Chiropractic Privacy Policy

Current as of: 23/10/2025

 

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

  1. Who can I contact about this policy?

For enquiries concerning this policy, you can contact Riverview Chiropractic, (08) 8523 0400.

  1. When and why is your consent necessary?

When you register as a patient of this practice, you provide consent for the practitioners and practice staff to access and use your personal information to facilitate the delivery of healthcare. Access to your personal information is restricted to practice team members who require it for your care. If we ever use your personal information for purposes other than outlined in this document, we will obtain additional consent from you.

 

It is important to us that as our patient, you understand why we collect and use your personal information.

 

By acknowledging this Privacy Policy you consent to us collecting, holding, using, retaining and disclosing your personal information in the manners described below.

 

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

The practice collects, uses, stores, and shares your personal information primarily to manage your health safely and effectively. This includes providing healthcare services, managing medical records, and ensuring accurate billing and payments. Additionally, we may utilise your information for internal quality and safety improvement processes such as practice audits, accreditation purposes, and staff training to maintain high-quality service standards.

  1. What personal information is collected?

The information we will collect about you includes your:

  • names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
  • medical information including medical history, medicines, allergies, social history, family history and risk factors
  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
  • healthcare identifier numbers
  • health fund details.
  1. Can you deal with us anonymously?

You can deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for us to do so or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.

  1. How is personal information collected?

The practice may collect your personal information in several different ways:

When you make your first appointment, the practice team will collect your personal and demographic information via your intake form.

We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment, or communicate with us using social media.

In some circumstances, personal information may also be collected from other sources, including:

  • Your guardian or responsible person.
  • Other involved healthcare providers, such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services, and pathology and diagnostic imaging services.
  • Your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (if relevant).

Various types of images may be collected and used, including:

  • CCTV footage: Collected from outside our premises for security and safety purpose. No CCTV footage is collected inside the premises.
  • Photos and medical images: These can be taken using personal devices for your patient file, or medical imaging such as X-ray, CT/MRI scans and ultrasound images ordered by us or your medical Doctor.
  1. When, why and with whom do we share your personal information?

We sometimes share your personal information:

  • with third parties for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers – these third parties are required to comply with APPs and this policy
  • with other healthcare providers (e.g. In referral letters to your GP or other allied health professionals)
  • when it is required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas)
  • when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent
  • to assist in locating a missing person
  • to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim
  • for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process
  • When it is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (e.g. some diseases require mandatory notification)

Only people who need to access your personal information will be able to do so. Other than providing services or as otherwise described in this policy, the practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.

We do not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.

  1. Will your information be used for marketing purposes?

The practice will not use your personal information for marketing any goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying the practice in writing.

 

  1. How is your information used to improve services?

Your information will never be shared with a third party for the purpose of improving services, Government, private or otherwise. We will never share your information to a third party outside the scope of the above mentioned referral processes or co-management of your condition and/or health management.

  1. How are document automation technologies used?

Document automation is where systems use existing data to generate electronic documents relating to medical conditions and healthcare.

The practice uses document automation technologies to create documents such as referrals, which are sent to other healthcare providers. These documents contain only your relevant medical information.

These document automation technologies are used through secure software using the Adobe Acrobat password protected file service.

All users of the medical software have their own unique user credentials and password and can only access information that is relevant to their role in the practice team. For example, non-practitioner staff do not have access to your clinical notes entered into your patient file by your practitioner.

The practice complies with the Australian privacy legislation and APPs to protect your information.

All data, both electronic and paper are stored and managed in accordance with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Privacy and managing health information guidance.

  1. How is your personal information stored and protected? 
  • Your personal information may be stored in various forms.
  • Information collected through digital means, ie form completed sent to you via SMS, or in clinic on tablet devices, are stored securely using our cloud based practice management software, Pracsuite™.
  • Information received in paper form, for example: Blood test, paper forms we may ask you to fill out and scan results brought in by you for us to copy, is digitally copied and added to your Pracsuite patient file and stored securely in the cloud. Once a digital copy has been made, those files are either returned to you or confetti shredded.
  • All CCTV footage captured outside the building is stored securely with password access only to authorised users.
  1. How can you access and correct your personal information at the practice?

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.

The practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records.

You may request a digital copy of your patient file at any time either in writing or verbally requesting a copy, free of charge. For us to send your file to a third party, you will need to complete an “Authority for release patient file” form supplied by us. On receipt of this form we will release your patient file to the recipient stated on the release form for a small administration fee.

The practice will respond to any requests to access or correct your personal information within three (3) business days.

The practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. Sometimes, we will ask you to verify your personal information held by the practice is correct and current. You may request we correct or update your information. To do this please contact via (08) 8523 0400, or admin@riverviewchiro.com.au

  1. How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at the practice?

We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have. We will then attempt to resolve it in accordance with the resolution procedure. Please allow five (5) business days for a response.

Email: admin@riverviewchiro.com.au

Ph: (08) 8523 0400, Fax: (08) 8522 4943

179 Murray Street

GAWLER,  SA,  518

If you do not feel we have resolved your issue You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner will require you to give them time to respond before they investigate.  For further information visit www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner) on 1300 363 992.

  1. How is privacy on the website maintained?

At Riverview Chiropractic, any personal information you share with us through website, email, and social media, is handled securely and confidentially.

  1. Policy review statement

Our privacy policy is regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with current obligations.

If any changes are made:

  • They will be reflected on the website.
  • Significant changes may be communicated directly to patients via email or other means.

Please check the policy periodically for updates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.