Privacy Policy

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Last Updated: June 27, 2025

Meridian Health Clinics ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients ("you", "your"). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal and health information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.

By becoming a patient of our clinic, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this policy.

 In the course of providing you with the highest standard of care, we need to collect and hold information about you. This may include:

• Personal Information: Your name, date of birth, contact details (address, phone number, email).
• Health Information: Your medical history, symptoms, diagnostic test results, prescribed medications, treatment plans and notes, and any other information relevant to your health and treatment with us.
• Billing Information: Details required for processing payments for services.
• ACC Information: If your treatment is covered by ACC, we will collect information related to your claim.

We collect your information in the following ways:

• Directly from you: When you complete our patient intake form, during consultations, or through communication via phone or email.
• From other healthcare providers: With your express consent, we may receive information from your GP, specialists, or other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.

 The primary purpose for collecting your information is to provide you with safe, effective, and personalised healthcare. Specifically, we use your information to:

• Provide Treatment: To accurately diagnose your condition and formulate a comprehensive treatment plan including acupuncture, manual therapy, and herbal medicine.
• Manage Your Care: To manage your appointments, send reminders, and maintain your clinical records.
• Communicate: To communicate with you about your treatment or to send you information relevant to your health.
• Process Payments: For billing and accounting purposes.
• Liaise with Other Professionals: We will only disclose your information to other healthcare providers (e.g., your GP) with your explicit consent.
• Legal & Regulatory Requirements: We may be required to disclose information by law, such as for ACC claims or in response to a court order. We will only ever disclose the minimum information required.

We will never sell your information or use it for marketing purposes without your express consent.

We take the security of your information very seriously. We protect your information from loss, unauthorized access, or misuse through:

• Secure Storage: Your clinical records are stored in a secure electronic patient management system with password protection and access controls. Any physical records are kept in locked, secure cabinets.
• Limited Access: Only your practitioner and authorized clinic staff have access to your information, and only for the purposes outlined in this policy.

In accordance with the Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996, we are required to retain your health records for a minimum of 10 years from the date of your last consultation. After this period, your information will be securely and permanently destroyed.

You have the right to access and request correction of your personal and health information held by us.

• Requesting Access: To request a copy of your information, please contact our Privacy Officer (details below) in writing. We will respond to your request within 20 working days.
• Requesting Correction: If you believe any information we hold about you is incorrect, you have the right to request a correction. If we do not agree to make the correction, we will attach a statement of the requested correction to your file.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The most current version will always be available on our website.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a complaint about how we have handled your information, please contact our Privacy Officer:Jasmine RoigardOffice Administrator, Meridian Health Clinicsadmin@meridianhealth.co.nz021 142 8407If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

• Online: www.privacy.org.nz/your-rights/making-a-complaint/
• Phone: 0800 803 909