Merrimac Medical Centre Privacy Policy
 

Current as of: 8 July 2026
 

Introduction

Merrimac Medical Centre is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
 

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect your personal information, including your health information, when you receive healthcare services, use our website, book appointments online or communicate with our practice.
 

Why and When Your Consent Is Required

By registering as a patient of Merrimac Medical Centre, you consent to our doctors, nurses and practice staff collecting and using your personal information to provide appropriate healthcare services.
 

Where your information is required for purposes outside your healthcare or those reasonably expected by you, we will obtain your consent unless otherwise authorised or required by law.
 

Why We Collect Your Personal Information
We collect personal information to:

* Provide safe and effective healthcare
* Maintain accurate medical records
* Coordinate your care with other healthcare providers
* Process Medicare, DVA and health fund claims
* Manage appointments
* Contact you regarding your healthcare
* Meet legal and accreditation requirements
* Improve the quality of our services
 

Personal Information We Collect

Depending on the services you receive, we may collect:

* Name, date of birth and gender
* Residential and postal address
* Telephone numbers and email address
* Emergency contact details
* Medicare details
* Healthcare Identifier numbers
* Health fund information
* Medical history
* Allergies and medications
* Immunisations
* Family and social history
* Investigation results
* Specialist correspondence
* Clinical notes
* Billing information
* Information you provide through our website or online forms
 

How We Collect Your Information

Your personal information may be collected:

* During patient registration
* During consultations
* Through online appointment bookings
* Through telephone conversations
* Via email
* Via SMS communications
* Through our website enquiry forms
* Through our AI chat assistant where information is voluntarily provided
* Through My Health Record (where applicable)
* Through Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (eTP)
 

We may also receive information from:

* Specialists
* Hospitals
* Allied health providers
* Pathology and diagnostic imaging providers
* Medicare
* Department of Veterans' Affairs
* Guardians or authorised representatives
 

AI Chat Assistant

Our website includes an AI-powered chat assistant to help answer general enquiries and guide patients.

The AI assistant is **not** a substitute for medical advice and should not be used for emergencies or urgent medical concerns.

If you choose to submit personal information through the AI assistant, that information may be securely processed to respond to your enquiry and improve our patient services. Please avoid submitting sensitive medical information unless specifically requested.
 

Website Usage

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect technical information including:

* IP address
* Browser type
* Device information
* Pages visited
* Date and time of your visit
* Website usage statistics
 

We may use cookies and analytics services to improve website functionality and user experience.

You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not function correctly.
 

Communications

We may communicate with you via:

* Telephone
* SMS
* Email
* Mail

This may include:

* Appointment reminders
* Test results
* Preventive health reminders
* Follow-up care
* Practice announcements
* Administrative communications
 

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information where necessary:

* To healthcare providers involved in your care
* To pathology and diagnostic imaging providers
* To pharmacies where appropriate
* To Medicare, DVA and health funds
* To IT providers supporting our clinical systems
* For accreditation and quality assurance
* Where required by law
* To lessen or prevent a serious threat to health or safety
* Under court orders or other legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information.

Unless permitted by law, we will not disclose your information overseas without your consent.
 

Marketing

Merrimac Medical Centre will only send marketing or promotional communications where you have consented.

You may opt out at any time.
 

Secondary Use of De-identified Data

We may use de-identified patient information for:

* Practice quality improvement
* Accreditation
* Clinical audits
* Medical education
* Health service planning
* Approved research activities

Patients cannot be identified from this information.

Where identifiable information is required, your consent will be obtained unless otherwise permitted by law.
 

Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information through:

* Secure electronic medical record systems
* Password-protected access
* Role-based staff permissions
* Secure storage of paper records
* Staff confidentiality obligations
* Physical security measures
* Regular system maintenance and security updates
 

Accessing or Correcting Your Information

You may request access to your medical records by submitting a written request.

We aim to respond within 30 days.

An administrative fee may apply where extensive records are requested.

You may also request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information at any time.
 

Privacy Complaints

If you have concerns regarding your privacy, please contact us:

Merrimac Medical Centre

166 Gooding Drive

Merrimac QLD 4226

Phone: (07) 5525 1222

Email: [reception@merrimacmedicalcentre.com.au]
(mailto:reception@merrimacmedicalcentre.com.au)
 

We will investigate your complaint and aim to respond within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:

**Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)**

Website: [www.oaic.gov.au](http://www.oaic.gov.au)

Phone: 1300 363 992
 

or
 

**Office of the Health Ombudsman (Queensland)**

Website: [www.oho.qld.gov.au](http://www.oho.qld.gov.au)

Phone: 133 OHO (133 646)
 

## Changes to this Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology or our practice operations.

The latest version will always be available on the Merrimac Medical Centre website.
 

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact our practice.