Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Doug Slessor Remedial & Sports Massage (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our clients' personal information. This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with Australia's Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

What Information We Collect

We collect only the personal information that is necessary to provide you with safe and effective massage therapy services. This may include:

• Your full name, date of birth, and contact details (phone, email, address)
• Health and medical information relevant to your treatment (current conditions, medications, injuries, health history)
• Health fund and payment details (processed securely via HICAPS)
• Treatment records, session notes, and progress information
• Emergency contact details

How We Collect Your Information

Information is collected at the time of booking and through your initial consultation and intake forms. We may collect information:

• Directly from you when you complete intake or health history forms
• Via our online booking system (Cliniko)
• Through our website contact form
• From your treating health practitioners, where you have provided consent

How We Use Your Information

Your personal information is used solely for the purposes for which it was collected. This includes:

• Providing safe, appropriate, and effective massage therapy
• Communicating with you about appointments and treatment plans
• Processing health fund claims via HICAPS
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date clinical records
• Complying with legal and professional obligations
• Referring you to other healthcare providers where appropriate

We will not use your personal information for any other purpose without your explicit consent.

Disclosure of Your Information

We treat all client information as strictly confidential. Your personal information will not be disclosed to third parties without your written consent, except where required or permitted by law, or in situations where it is necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety, or that of another person.

In limited circumstances, we may share relevant health information with:

• Other treating health professionals (with your consent)
• Health fund providers for the purposes of claiming rebates
• Legal authorities, where required by law

Storage and Security of Your Information

Your records are stored securely in Cliniko, a cloud-based practice management system that complies with Australian privacy legislation. Paper records (where applicable) are kept in a locked filing system.

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Access to your records is restricted to authorised personnel only.

Client records are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of your last appointment, or in the case of minors, until they reach the age of 25 years — whichever is the longer period — in accordance with legal and professional requirements.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal and health information held by us
• Request corrections to any information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date
• Request that your information not be used for a particular purpose
• Make a complaint about how your information has been handled

Requests to access or amend your records should be made in writing. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Website & Contact Form

Our website may collect non-personal browsing data (such as page views and general location) for the purposes of improving the website experience. This data is not linked to your identity.

Information submitted via our contact form is transmitted securely and used only to respond to your enquiry. We do not sell, rent, or share your contact details with third parties for marketing purposes.

Complaints

If you believe that your privacy has been breached, or you have a concern about how your information has been handled, please contact us directly in the first instance. We take all privacy complaints seriously and will work with you to resolve the matter promptly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The current version will always be available on our website. Material changes will be communicated to active clients.