Privacy Policy

How I Handle Your Personal and Health Information

 

Your privacy is important. This policy explains how your personal and health information is collected, used, stored and protected when you use the services of Margaret Leedham Naturopath.

 

What information I collect

To provide and manage your care, I may collect personal and health information including:

• Your name, date of birth and contact details

• Relevant health and medical history

• Current symptoms and health concerns

• Medications and supplements

• Allergies and relevant family history

• Nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, exercise and other relevant health information

• Pathology, blood test and other health test results

• Information provided through health questionnaires and consultation forms

• Consultation and treatment notes

• Treatment plans and recommendations

• Correspondence relating to your care

• Appointment, billing and payment information

Only information that is reasonably necessary to provide and manage your care is collected.

 

How your information is collected

Information will be collected directly from you through consultation forms, appointments, telehealth, email, pathology or test results and other information you choose to provide.

With your consent, relevant information may also be obtained from or shared with another healthcare practitioner, pathology provider or health service involved in your care where appropriate.

There may also be circumstances where information is collected, used or disclosed where authorised or required by law.

 

How your information is stored and protected

Your personal and health information may be stored using secure practice-management, clinical, health-analysis, pathology, payment and communication systems.

Reasonable steps are taken to protect your information from loss, misuse, interference, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Security measures may include encryption, passwords, two-factor authentication and access controls.

Some technology and service providers used by the practice may store or process information using servers located outside Australia. Where overseas processing or disclosure occurs, reasonable steps are taken to ensure your information is handled appropriately and in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

Documents received temporarily by email, such as pathology or blood test results, may be transferred to your clinical record and subsequently removed from the practice email account when appropriate.

 

How your information is used

Your personal and health information may be used for:

• Providing naturopathic consultations and care

• Assessing your health history, concerns and health goals

• Reviewing pathology and other relevant health information

• Preparing personalised health recommendations and treatment plans

• Communicating with you about your care

• Providing referrals or requesting further investigations where appropriate

• Managing appointments and reminders

• Processing payments and maintaining appropriate business and clinical records

• Meeting professional, legal, insurance and regulatory obligations

Your personal and health information will not be sold.

Your health information will not be used for direct marketing without your consent.

 

Who may have access to your information

Your health information is treated confidentially.

Access is limited to your treating practitioner and, where applicable, authorised personnel or service providers who require access to perform functions associated with your care or the operation of the practice.

With your consent, relevant information may also be shared with other healthcare professionals or services involved in your care.

Information may also be disclosed where authorised or required by law.

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Electronic communication

Email, SMS, telehealth and other electronic communication may be used in connection with appointments and your care.

While reasonable security measures are used, electronic communications can carry privacy and security risks. Sensitive health information will be handled through secure systems where reasonably practicable.

 

Accessing and correcting your information

You may request access to the personal and health information held about you and ask for information that is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date to be corrected.

Requests can be made directly to Margaret Leedham Naturopath.

In some circumstances, access may be limited where permitted or required by law.

 

Retention of health records

Clinical and business records will be retained and securely managed for the period required by applicable legal, professional and insurance requirements.

When information is no longer required to be retained, reasonable steps will be taken to securely destroy or de-identify it where appropriate.

Privacy concerns or complaints

If you have a question or concern about how your personal or health information has been handled, please contact:

Margaret Leedham Naturopath
Email: hello@margaretleedham.com.au

Privacy concerns will be investigated and responded to appropriately.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

 

Changes to this policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes to the practice, services, technology or applicable privacy requirements. October 2026​