Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Sunnyside Clinic is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal and health information. This policy explains how we collect, use, and manage your data in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
2. Information We Collect
We collect information necessary to provide high-quality mental health care. This includes:
- Personal Details: Name, date of birth, address, and contact information.
- Health Information: Medical history, psychiatric assessments, medication records, and session notes.
- Administrative Data: Medicare, DVA, or private health insurance details.
3. How We Collect Your Information
We primarily collect information directly from you during consultations or via our New Patient Registration Form. We may also receive information from:
- Your referring GP or psychiatrist.
- Other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
- Family members or guardians (only with your consent or in emergencies).
4. Purpose of Use and Disclosure
Your information is used for:
- Primary Purpose: Providing and documenting your mental health treatment.
- Administrative Purposes: Billing, Medicare claims, and practice management.
- Coordination of Care: Communicating with your referring doctor or other specialists.
- Legal Obligations: Where required by law (e.g., a court subpoena) or to prevent a serious threat to life or safety.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation
As of 2026, our clinic may use AI tools (e.g., electronic scribes) to assist clinicians in documenting consultations.
- Data Storage: Some AI service providers may store data on secure, encrypted servers located overseas.
- Your Choice: You may “opt out” of AI usage at any time during your consultation.
- Automated Decisions: We do not currently use automated computer programs to make decisions that significantly affect your clinical rights.
6. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access.
- Digital Records: Stored in encrypted, password-protected clinical software (e.g., Coreplus, MMEX).
- Physical Records: Stored in locked cabinets accessible only to authorised staff.
- Retention: We retain records for a minimum of 7 years (or until age 25 for patients seen as minors).
7. Accessing and Correcting Your Information
You have the right to request access to the information we hold about you.
- Requests: Must be made in writing to our Privacy Officer at:
- Corrections: If you believe your information is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know so we can update it promptly.
8. Overseas Disclosure
We do not typically share your identifiable health information with overseas recipients unless specifically required for your treatment or if you use an AI tool that processes data in a secure overseas environment (as disclosed in Section 5).
9. Complaints
If you have a concern about how your privacy has been handled, please contact our Practice Manager. We aim to resolve all complaints within 30 days.
- If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
6. Links
Sunnyside Clinic has not reviewed all of the sites linked to its Internet web site and is not responsible for the contents of any such linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Sunnyside Clinic of the site. Use of any such linked web site is at the user’s own risk.
7. Site Terms of Use Modifications
Sunnyside Clinic may revise these terms of use for its web site at any time without notice. By using this web site you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these Terms and Conditions of Use.
8. Governing Law
Any claim relating to Sunnyside Clinic’s web site shall be governed by the laws of Sydney, Australia without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
General Terms and Conditions applicable to Use of a Web Site.
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to us, and it is Sunnyside Clinic’s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our websites. Accordingly, we have developed this Policy in order for you to understand how we collect, use, communicate and disclose and make use of personal information. The following outlines our privacy policy.
Before or at the time of collecting personal information, we will identify the purposes for which information is being collected.
We will collect and use of personal information solely with the objective of fulfilling those purposes specified by us and for other compatible purposes, unless we obtain the consent of the individual concerned or as required by law.
We will only retain personal information as long as necessary for the fulfilment of those purposes.
We will collect personal information by lawful and fair means and, where appropriate, with the knowledge or consent of the individual concerned.
Personal data should be relevant to the purposes for which it is to be used, and, to the extent necessary for those purposes, should be accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
We will protect personal information by reasonable security safeguards against loss or theft, as well as unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use or modification.
We will make readily available to customers information about our policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.
We are committed to conducting our business in accordance with these principles in order to ensure that the confidentiality of personal information is protected and maintained. Sunnyside Clinic may change its Privacy Policy from time to time, and at Sunnyside Clinic’s sole discretion.