Privacy Policy
Updated 15th November 2025
Website Privacy Policy
Dr Clare Patterson Dermatology
This privacy policy applies to all personal information collected by Dr Clare Patterson Dermatology via our website (the Website).
1. Commitment to Privacy
Dr Clare Patterson Dermatology respects your right to privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and store personal information submitted through our Website and related online services.
2. Information We Collect
The kind of personal information we collect depends on how you use our Website and interact with our clinic.
2.1 Information collected via Website forms
When you use our Website, for example when submitting an enquiry or appointment request, we may collect the following.
Full name
Date of birth
Email address
Phone number
Residential address or suburb
Enquiry details or brief reason for contact
We do not intend to collect detailed medical history, referrals or full clinical information through general Website forms.
Please avoid submitting highly sensitive or detailed health information through the standard contact form.
If additional documentation is required, such as referral letters, investigation results or photographs, our team will contact you to arrange a secure method of transfer, such as secure messaging, encrypted email or direct upload to a medical system where available.
2.2 Information collected in the course of care
Where you choose to engage with us as a patient, we may collect additional information through other channels, including:
Contact details for you and, where relevant, your child or dependants
Date of birth, age and emergency contact details
Medicare number and concession details
Medical history including diagnoses, treatments, medications and allergies
Referral information from your GP, specialists or other providers
Results of tests, investigations or procedures
Clinical photographs taken for medical documentation
Information relevant to insurance, compensation or legal claims
Information provided by third parties involved in your care
2.3 Technical and usage data
When you visit our Website, we may also collect:
IP address and general location information
Device type, browser type and operating system
Pages visited, time and date of access
Cookies and similar technologies
3. Types of Information
3.1 Personal Information
Personal Information is information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether the information is true or not and whether recorded in a material form or not.
If information does not allow your identity to be reasonably ascertained, it will generally not be considered Personal Information.
3.2 Sensitive Information
Sensitive Information includes health information and other categories such as racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs and criminal history.
We primarily collect health information to provide dermatology services. We only collect Sensitive Information where reasonably necessary for your care and where you have consented, or where required or authorised by law.
4. How We Collect Your Personal Information
We may collect your personal information:
When you submit a form or enquiry via our Website
When you contact us by phone, email or post
When you attend the clinic in person
From referral letters or clinical information provided by healthcare professionals
From pathology, radiology or other services involved in your care
From an authorised representative, parent, guardian or carer
We may on occasion use a transcription service to assist with preparing clinical documentation. Any recordings provided for transcription are de-identified with no personal identification data included, and the service provider operates under confidentiality obligations and processes all information securely in accordance with Australian privacy requirements.
We may also use cookies to improve Website functionality and user experience.
Where reasonable and practicable, we will collect information directly from you. Where information is provided by a third party, we will take reasonable steps to let you know.
5. Purpose of Collection
We collect personal information to provide you with safe and effective dermatology care and to operate our practice. Typical purposes include:
Verifying your identity
Assessing your health condition and planning care
Making and managing appointments
Communicating with you about care, results and follow up
Preparing clinical letters and treatment plans
Coordinating care with your GP and other providers
Arranging tests, procedures and referrals
Administrative tasks including billing and claiming
Sending appointment reminders and relevant clinical reminders
Responding to Website enquiries
Meeting legal and regulatory obligations
We do not use your personal information for unrelated purposes unless you consent or the law requires it.
6. Storage and Security
Personal information submitted through the Website is transmitted and stored securely. Clinical and administrative records are stored in secure systems with appropriate access controls.
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Records are retained for the minimum periods required by law.
7. Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information where reasonably necessary for your care or practice operations, including to:
Your GP, referring doctor, specialists and allied health providers
Pathology and radiology providers
Hospitals and day surgery facilities
Pharmacists
Practice management and IT providers
Our Website provider and hosting platform
Medicare, health funds and billing agents
Regulators and government bodies where required by law
We may also disclose information with your consent or to a guardian, parent or authorised representative where appropriate.
We do not sell personal information.
8. Website Analytics and Cookies
Our Website uses cookies to improve functionality and user experience.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although some Website features may not work as intended.
We may use non identifiable analytics information to improve Website performance and services.
9. Access and Correction
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request corrections where needed.
Please make requests in writing to:
Privacy Officer
Dr Clare Patterson Dermatology
Email: contact@drclare.co
Address: Shop 3, 212 David Low Way, Peregian Beach, 4573
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
10. Privacy Complaints
If you have a concern about how your personal information has been handled, please write to our Privacy Officer. We will investigate and respond promptly.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
11. Overseas Disclosure
Some of our third party providers, including secure cloud and transcription services, may store or process information overseas. We take reasonable steps to ensure such providers handle information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
12. Updates to This Policy
This policy may be updated periodically to reflect legislative changes or updates to our information handling practices. The most recent version will always be available on our Website.