Privacy Policy
InterHealth Medical Clinic – Privacy Policy & Patient Consent
Current as of: February 2025
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We are committed to protecting your personal and health information. Here's what you need to know:
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We only collect information necessary for your care and only with your consent.
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Your data is used to provide healthcare, improve services, and meet legal requirements.
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Information is stored securely and shared only when necessary or legally required.
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You can request access to or correction of your information at any time.
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Our full Privacy Policy below outlines these points in more detail.
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Our Commitment to Your Privacy​
InterHealth Medical Clinic complies with the Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant Health Privacy Principles. This policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and store your personal and health information.
Why and When Your Consent Is Necessary​
When you become a patient of InterHealth Medical Clinic, you give consent for our doctors and staff to collect and use your personal information for the purpose of delivering healthcare services. Your information will only be accessed by authorised staff and used for necessary medical and administrative tasks.
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We will seek additional consent if your information needs to be used for purposes outside your immediate care, such as research or marketing (which is only done with explicit written permission).
Why We Collect, Use, Hold and Share Your Information​
Your information is collected and used to:
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Manage your health and provide appropriate medical care
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Support administrative functions such as billing, Medicare claims, and appointments
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Assist with clinical audits, accreditation, and staff training
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Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
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Improve the safety and quality of healthcare services
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Engage in research or quality improvement (with de-identified data and consent where applicable)
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What Information We Collect​
We may collect the following types of personal and health information:
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Full name, date of birth, gender, address, and contact details
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Medicare number, healthcare identifiers, and private health insurance details
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Medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations, and family history
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Social and lifestyle details relevant to your health
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Dealing Anonymously
Where lawful and practical, you may choose to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym—for example, when making general inquiries. Full identification is required for the delivery of medical care.
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How We Collect Your Information​
We may collect information in the following ways:
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When you register as a new patient (online, by phone, or in person)
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During medical consultations
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Through electronic systems like My Health Record
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From other healthcare providers, hospitals, pathology or imaging services
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From your guardian or legal representative
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From Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or other government agencies
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If we receive unsolicited information that is not relevant to your care, it will be securely destroyed or de-identified.
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When, Why, and With Whom We Share Your Information​
We only share your information for legitimate purposes related to your care, clinic operations, or legal obligations. It may be shared:
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With other healthcare providers involved in your care
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With allied health professionals, pathology or diagnostic providers
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Through My Health Record or electronic prescription services (under your control settings)
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With IT providers, accreditation bodies, and insurers (under strict confidentiality)
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When required by law (e.g., court orders, public health reporting)
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To prevent or lessen a serious threat to life, health, or safety
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To locate a missing person or assist law enforcement
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For dispute resolution, legal claims, or quality improvement activities
We do not share your personal information for marketing unless we have your explicit written consent. We do not send your information outside Australia unless legally required and with your authorisation.
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How We Protect Your Information
Your information is securely stored using:
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Password-protected electronic systems and encrypted data
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Locked physical filing systems (where applicable)
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Restricted access to authorised staff only
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Staff training and signed confidentiality agreements
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Routine audits and system access monitoring
If a data breach occurs that is likely to cause serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.
How to Access or Correct Your Information
You can request access to your medical record or ask for a correction if you believe any information is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated.
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To do so, please complete a Request for Personal Health Information form. Requests are usually processed within 14 business days. An administrative fee may apply ($0.20 per page plus a $42.02 handling fee).
How to Make a Privacy Complaint
If you have concerns about how your information is being handled, please contact:
Practice Manager
InterHealth Medical Clinic1
We will acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and aim to resolve it within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact:
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Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
www.oaic.gov.au | 1300 363 992 -
Health Complaints Commissioner (Victoria)
www.hcc.vic.gov.au | 1300 582 113
Website & Online Privacy
When you use our website:
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We may use cookies to enhance performance and analyse usage (no personal health data is collected via cookies).
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Online forms (e.g., appointment bookings) securely collect information for healthcare purposes.
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The website may include third-party content or links (e.g., maps, social media) governed by their own privacy policies.
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No identifiable health information is collected or stored through cookies or tracking tools.
Review and Updates
This Privacy Policy is reviewed at least annually or as required by changes to legislation or clinic processes. The most current version is available on our website or by request at reception.