Privacy Policy

Last update: August 2020.

Who is Dr McGowan?

Dr Rebecca McGowan is a General Practitioner registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), RACGP and RANZGOG.  She has been a Doctor for over 30 years.  Her current clinical practice is in Albury NSW as a General Practitioner.     

She also works throughout Australia as a medical speaker, focusing on empowering people to engage in their own preventative health. 

The privacy commitment to you

Privacy protection and confidentiality of health information is essential for quality health care. Dr McGowan is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the information collected from patients, visitors to the website, people who contact Dr McGowan and from suppliers and partners.

In addition to this professional and ethical commitment, Dr McGowan is required to comply with applicable Commonwealth, State and Territory privacy law.

Under these privacy laws, she is required to comply with a set of privacy principles. The core principles are in the Privacy Act 1988. More information about these principles and Australian privacy law can be found on the Australian Information Commissioner’s website www.oaic.gov.au .

What personal information does Dr McGowan collect, store, and use and how does this website and Dr McGowan’s clinical practice collect this?

Dr McGowan collects personal information from patients, members of the public, corporate organisations or other organisations seeking information or comment, including visitors to the website or clinic in person.

Much of this information is collected directly from the person concerned, including through emails, telephone calls and the website, apps, and mobile devices.

 Information collected - De-identified

When you access the website, there is a record of your visit made in the web server logs of the following information for statistical purposes:

• Your source IP address

• Your domain or top-level domain name (for example practice.com, .gov, .au etc)

• The date and time of your visit to the site

• The pages you accessed, and documents downloaded

• The previous site you visited

• The type of browser you are using

• Your age, gender, and interests based on other websites you have visited. Google Analytics does not collect information about sensitive interests such as race, religion, sexual orientation, health, or financial status.

This non-identified information is used by the web page developer to monitor usage patterns on this site in order to improve navigation and design features.  None of this information is provided to third parties.                                                                                                                                                  

Information collected - Identified 

Access to benefits such as newsletters,  is possible by secure authentication and checks against information provided when a person signs up for this on the webpage.

Why do we collect this information and what do we use it for?

This website and Dr McGowan’s practice will collect, store and use this information to provide a better service to patients and/or organisations.

Some of the information gathered, will also assist Dr McGowan when she is required to  provide information and services to the media, government and community and to enable her to advocate on behalf of her patients and the community on health issues..

What about use of personal information for direct marketing?

Australian privacy law limits the use of personal information for direct marketing of goods and services.

Dr McGowan will  only use your personal information to keep you informed about services, news and updates in relevant clinical matters

How does Dr McGowan store and protect the information held about you?

The clinical information is stored at the practice premises, in electronic systems under the practice control and with contracted data storage providers. At all times appropriate steps are taken to protect the security of the information held about you, including protections against unauthorised access, virus or other electronic intrusions, fire, theft or loss. The contracted providers are required to do the same. Medical staff are bound by strict requirements regarding the protection of the privacy of the information that is collected and held about you.

The clinic or the contracted data storage providers may use servers, systems, and cloud computing providers outside of Australia. The contracts with them require them to protect the privacy of your information when held on these servers and/or using cloud computing. The contractors are required to comply with the Australian Privacy laws.

You have a right to see what information is held about you

Under Australian privacy law, you have rights of access to personal information held about you. These rights also include correction of any errors in this information. Should you wish to access this information please contact Dr McGowan or the medical clinic. Unless the access you request will require special steps or significant resources, there will be no charge for providing you with this access.

For how long do you keep my personal information?

The practice will keep personal medical/clinical information active for at least 7 years, longer if there is an obstetric issue. 

Dr McGowan and the practice will keep Health Records and other personal information on file to enable the practice to undertake statistical and historical analysis and reporting. As part of the data security, there are regular backups and archives in the electronic databases.

What if you want more information on how to protect your privacy or if you have a complaint?

Please do not hesitate to contact Dr McGowan if you have a concern or issue in relation to how collect, your personal information is stored, used or disclosed. If your concern relates to the practice, please contact the practice manager directly. 

Dr Rebecca McGowan

info@indigohealthservices.com.au

T:0408863996