Privacy & Trust Policy

At The Good Osteo, we understand that your trust is essential. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information with the utmost care, in full compliance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and all applicable health information regulations.

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

This policy outlines how The Good Osteo collects, uses, stores, and discloses your personal information. It applies to all information gathered via our clinic, website, phone, and digital communications.

2. What Information We Collect

We only collect information that is necessary for us to provide you with effective, personalised care, manage our operations, and communicate effectively.

This information may include:

  • Identification and Contact Details: Name, address, phone number, email address.

  • Health Information (Sensitive): Your medical history, current symptoms, treatment details, ACC claim information, and other relevant clinical notes.

  • Demographic Data: Postcode, age, and interests relevant to health preferences or clinic offers.

  • Payment Information: Details needed to process payments (though sensitive card details are generally not stored by us).

3. How We Use Your Information

We require this information primarily to understand your needs and provide you with the highest standard of osteopathic care. Specific uses include:

  • Clinical Care: Delivering and managing your gentle, effective osteopathic treatment.

  • Internal Records: Maintaining accurate, comprehensive, and confidential patient files.

  • Service Improvement: Using aggregated, non-identifiable data to improve our services and offerings.

  • Communication: Sending appointment confirmations, relevant health updates, and, if you opt-in, promotional news.

4. Collecting and Consent

When we collect sensitive personal health information, we will:

  • Ensure it is collected fairly and for a necessary purpose.

  • Clearly advise you of the purpose of the collection.

  • Seek your informed consent for us to collect and use the information to provide your care.

  • Refusing to Provide Information: If you choose not to provide certain necessary health information, we will advise you of the possible limitations this may place on our ability to provide you with appropriate treatment.

5. Disclosure and Sharing

We will only disclose your personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. This means disclosure may occur:

  • With your explicit written consent (e.g., sharing notes with your GP or specialist).

  • For the purposes for which we collected it, and for related purposes you would reasonably expect (e.g., processing an ACC claim).

  • When required by law (e.g., a court order).

  • To relevant staff members who require the information to perform their duties.

Protecting Your Privacy in the Clinic: We take care to use only first names or initials to respect your privacy when other patients are in the waiting area.

6. Security and Storage

We are committed to ensuring your information is secure and protected against unauthorised access or disclosure.

  • Data Protection: Your personal and health information is managed confidentially and stored securely. We implement appropriate technical and management processes to safeguard this data.

  • Security Footage: The Featherston Community Centre uses security cameras for the sole purpose of providing a safe environment for staff and users, deterring criminal activity, and protecting Centre assets. Footage is restricted to the Centre Manager and no audio is recorded.

7. Accessing and Controlling Your Information

  • Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. Please make this request verbally (in person) or in writing. We may occasionally need to deny access in accordance with specific exemptions outlined in the Privacy Act.

  • Correction: If you believe any information we hold is incorrect or incomplete, please notify us immediately, and we will promptly correct it.

  • Opt-Out: You will always be given a nil-cost option to "opt-out" of receiving promotional or marketing offers from us.

8. Data Quality and Destruction

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the information we collect, use, or disclose is accurate, complete, and up to date. Once personal information is no longer needed, it will be destroyed securely and confidentially.

9. Policy Review and Inquiries

  • Review: This policy will be reviewed regularly, and any amendments will be updated online.

  • Privacy Inquiries: Any questions or concerns regarding this policy can be directed to the Clinic Manager at thegoodosteo@gmail.com.