Last updated: September 3, 2024
1.0 Why privacy is important to us
We understand the importance of protecting your privacy. We have included this page to explain how the personal information you might disclose to us while visiting our website or registering ‘in person’ as a patient is collected and held.
2.0 Our commitment
We abide by the National Privacy Principles for the protection of your personal information as provided for in the Privacy Act 2020. We also abide by the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 which regulates how we collect, hold, use and disclose health information.
3.0 Electronic Data
What electronic personal information we collect and why
We collect your IP address and browsing information to help diagnose problems with our website and for statistics purposes. And if you contact us through any of our online forms then we also collect your name and email address so we can respond to your request for further information. Unless specified, your name and email address will not be added to a mailing list. Our site uses cookies, small files stored on your computer that contain information, to assist with operation of our website. These may contain some of the information that we collect, as listed above. Unless required by law, or for administration of our site, we will not sell or pass on any personal information to a third party without your prior consent. For statistical reasons we use Google Analytics to help us understand how our customers use our site and to provide targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. You can read more about how Google uses your Personal Information here:
https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/.
You can also opt-out of Google Analytics here:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
The information we receive about you will be treated as strictly confidential.
3.1 We collect Device Information using the following technologies:
– “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org.
– “Log files” track actions occurring on the site, and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps.
– “Web beacons”, “tags”, and “pixels” are electronic files used to record information about how you browse our site.
3.2 Is your personal information safe?
We take all reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse or loss and from unauthorised modifications, access or disclosure. Once your personal information is no longer needed by us, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently restrict access to your information. We cannot be held responsible for the security or confidentiality of any information sent to us via email or through unencrypted web pages.
3.3 Behavioural Advertising
As described above, we use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at http://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/how-does-it-work.
You can opt out of targeted advertising by using the links below:
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads
– Google: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/anonymous
-Bing:https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads
Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at: http://optout.aboutads.info/.
3.4 Do not track
Please note that we do not alter our sites data collection and use practices when we see a Do Not Track signal from your browser.
3.5 Your rights
If you are a European resident, you have the right to access personal information we hold about you and to ask that your personal information be corrected, updated, or deleted. If you would like to exercise this right, please contact us through the contact information below.
Additionally, if you are a European resident we note that we are processing your information in order to fulfil contracts we might have with you (for example if you make an order through the Site), or otherwise to pursue our legitimate business interests listed above. Additionally, please note that your information will be transferred outside of Europe, including to Canada and the United States.
4.0 Personal Medical Information
In order to provide appropriate eyecare we will collect personal information from you either by our staff (in-person or over the phone) or through our 3rd party appointment booking website www.myhealth1st.com.au. We collect the following information about you;
- Name
- Contact information
- Medical information.
4.1 Is your personal medical information safe?
Besides our staff, with your permission we share this information with medical personnel, in order to further investigate health issues as they arise. Providing some information is optional. If you choose not to enter personal information, we’ll be unable to provide a full and thorough eye examination.
Rule 5 of the Privacy Code 2020 requires us to take ‘reasonable security safeguards’ to protect health information. This means keeping the information safe from loss, as well as from unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure. To comply with rule 5, we consider what risks there are for the health information they hold, make a plan to address those risks and do what is necessary to carry it out.
We keep your information safe by storing it in a secure digital format and only allowing our staff to view it via password access. In addition we require staff and contractors to sign confidentiality agreements.
4.2 Retention and Disposal of personal medical information
Retention and disposal Health Act regulations require all health information held by us to be retained for 10 years from the last encounter with a patient, unless transferred to another doctor or to the patient. Once this obligatory retention period has passed, we securely dispose of the files unless we have a lawful purpose to retain it.
3.0 How can you access or change your personal information?
We will, on request, provide you with access to any information that we have collected about you during the course of your enquiry. If you believe that any information that we hold about you is inaccurate or out of date, please contact us so we may review and update the relevant information.
4.0 Updates
Our privacy policy may vary from time to time, so you should check back here again in the future.
5.0 Minors
The Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 16.
6.0 Contact us
For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us via our website ‘Contact us’ page or by mail using the details provided below:
Should you have any questions about our privacy practices or this Privacy Policy, or if you would like to exercise any of the rights available to you, please call or email us at [email protected] or contact us at 17 New Regent Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, CAN, 8011, NZ.