Privacy

Last updated: 08/11/2025

Wallis Osteopathy (“we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information, including sensitive health information, in the course of providing osteopathic care.

1. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect personal and health information that is necessary to provide you with safe and effective osteopathic services. This may include:

• Personal details: your name, date of birth, address, contact details, and emergency contact information.

• Health information: medical history, treatment notes, clinical findings, referral letters, diagnostic reports, and other information relevant to your care.

• Payment details: billing information and health fund details (if applicable).

• Appointment information: appointment dates, attendance records, and communications relating to your care.

We collect this information directly from you or, with your consent, from other healthcare providers or third parties (e.g., GP, specialist, insurer).

2. How We Collect and Store Your Information

Your information is collected through secure means such as:

• In-person consultations and intake forms

• Online bookings and forms submitted via Cliniko (our practice management software)

• Email, phone, or written correspondence

All electronic records are stored securely using Cliniko, which complies with industry best practices for privacy and data security, including encryption and secure Australian data hosting.

Paper records (if used) are stored in locked facilities and disposed of securely when no longer required.

3. Purpose of Collection

We collect your personal and health information for purposes including:

• Providing osteopathic assessment, diagnosis, and treatment

• Managing your appointments and communication

• Maintaining accurate clinical and administrative records

• Liaising with other healthcare professionals (with your consent)

• Processing payments and managing accounts

• Meeting legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations

We will only use your information for these purposes or for related purposes reasonably expected in the context of your care.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information:

• To other healthcare professionals involved in your treatment (with your consent)

• To your health insurer, workers’ compensation body, or other third parties when authorised by you or required by law

• To our professional advisors, insurers, or regulators as required for compliance or legal reasons

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to any third party.

5. Data Security

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

Your data within Cliniko is protected by secure, encrypted connections and hosted on servers located in Australia that comply with Australian privacy and data protection laws.

If a data breach occurs that may cause serious harm, we will act in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme under the Privacy Act.

6. Access and Correction

You have the right to access and request correction of your personal information held by Wallis Osteopathy.

Requests can be made in writing to the contact details below. Identification may be required to verify your identity before access is granted.

We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.

7. Retention of Records

Health records are retained for the minimum period required by law:

• For adults: at least 7 years from the last date of treatment.

• For children: until they reach 25 years of age.

After this period, records may be securely destroyed if no longer required.

8. Website and Online Bookings

When you use our website or online booking system (powered by Cliniko), certain information may be automatically collected, such as your IP address and browser type, for analytics and performance purposes.

Cookies may be used to enhance user experience but can be disabled in your browser settings.

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology, or our practices.

The current version will always be available on our website or upon request.

10. Contact and Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about how we handle your personal information, please contact:

Wallis Osteopathy

Richard Wallis

Email: info@wallisosteopathy.com.au

Phone: 0412940755

Address:

17 Harker st

Alphington

3078

Australia

We will acknowledge and respond to your enquiry or complaint within a reasonable period.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.