Privacy Policy
Shift Spinal Health Clinic Privacy Policy
Effective Date: June 2, 2025
Shift Spinal Health Clinic (“we,” “us,” or “our”), located at 119-121 Grange Road, Allenby Gardens, SA 5009, is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and standards set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our clinic, use our services, or interact with our website (www.shiftspinalhealth.com.au). By engaging with our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information:
a. Personal Information
Contact Information: Name, address, phone number, email address, and date of birth.
Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, Medicare, or private health insurance details for processing payments.
Identification: Medicare card, driver’s license, or other government-issued ID for verification purposes.
b. Sensitive Information (including Health Information)
Health Information: Medical history, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment plans, imaging results (e.g., X-rays), and other health-related data collected during chiropractic consultations or treatments.
Appointment Details: Dates, times, and notes related to your visits or treatments.
Other Sensitive Information: Information about your race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics, if relevant to your care.
c. Non-Personal Information
Website Usage Data: IP addresses, browser type, and pages visited on our website, collected via cookies or analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
Aggregated Data: De-identified data used for statistical or operational purposes, such as improving clinic services.
2. How We Collect Information
We collect information:
Directly from you when you complete intake forms, schedule appointments, or communicate with our staff (in person, by phone, email, or online).
During chiropractic assessments, treatments, or consultations.
Automatically through our website (www.shiftspinalhealth.com.au, www.shiftspinalhealth.com) via cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies.
From third parties, such as referring healthcare practitioners, private health insurers, or Medicare, with your consent or as permitted by law.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes, in line with the APPs:
Primary Purpose:
Treatment: To provide chiropractic care, develop treatment plans, coordinate care with other healthcare providers (e.g., GPs, physiotherapists), or refer you to specialists.
Payment: To process payments, submit claims to Medicare or private health insurers, or verify coverage.
Healthcare Operations: For appointment scheduling, maintaining clinical records, quality assurance, or compliance with AHPRA’s standards and the Chiropractic Board of Australia’s guidelines.
Secondary Purposes (with consent or as permitted by law):
Communication: To send appointment reminders, treatment updates, or respond to inquiries via email, phone, or SMS.
Marketing: To send newsletters or promotional offers about our services, with an option to opt out at any time.
Research or Quality Improvement: De-identified data may be used for clinical audits or research to improve our services, subject to ethical approval where required.
Legal Compliance: To meet obligations under Australian law, such as reporting to AHPRA, the Department of Health, or other authorities.
4. How We Disclose Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or disclose your personal or health information except as outlined below:
With Service Providers: Third parties, such as billing companies, IT providers, or electronic health record solutions, who are bound by confidentiality agreements and comply with the APPs.
With Healthcare Partners: Other health practitioners (e.g., GPs, radiologists) involved in your care, as permitted under the Privacy Act 1988.