Privacy Policy

North East Stomal Therapy – Private Stomal Therapy Services

Last updated: 24/01/2026

1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At North East Stomal Therapy, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal and health information.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• What information we collect
• Why we collect it
• How we store and protect it
• When we may share it
• How you can access or correct your information
   

We comply with:

• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
   

2. Who We Are

North East Stomal Therapy provides private stomal therapy services in Victoria.

Services are provided by a Registered Nurse (RN) registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practising in line with professional standards.

3. What Information We Collect

We only collect information that is necessary to provide safe and appropriate care.

This may include:

Personal information

• Name
• Date of birth
• Contact details (phone, email, address)
   

Health information

• Medical history relevant to your stoma care
• Surgical details
• Stoma type and management needs
• Photos (only with your consent)
• Information provided by your GP, surgeon, or hospital (if available)
   

Administrative information

• Appointment details
• Payment and billing information
   

4. How We Collect Information

We may collect information:

• Directly from you (in person, by phone, online, or via forms)
• From referral letters, discharge summaries, or reports
• From other healthcare providers with your consent
   

5. Why We Collect Your Information

Your information is collected so we can:

• Provide safe and appropriate stomal therapy care
• Communicate with you about appointments and care
• Coordinate care with your GP or other providers (with consent)
• Meet legal, professional, and record-keeping requirements
   

We do not collect information we don’t need.

6. Telehealth and Electronic Communication

If you choose telehealth or electronic communication:

• Information may be shared via phone, video, email, or secure systems
• We take reasonable steps to protect your information
• There are some risks with electronic communication, which we will explain if relevant

7. Photo Consent

In some situations, it may be helpful to take photographs of your stoma or surrounding skin to support your care.

Photos may be used to:

• Assess your stoma or skin condition
• Monitor changes over time
• Support clinical decision-making
• Seek advice or coordinate care with other healthcare providers (with your consent)
   

Photos will only be taken:

• With your clear consent
• For clinical purposes only
• Using secure devices or systems
   

You can:

• Decline photography at any time
• Withdraw your consent in the future
   

Your decision will not affect your access to care.

All images are treated as health information and are:

• Stored securely
• Accessed only by authorised persons
• Not used for teaching, marketing, or publication without your separate written consent
   

8. How We Store and Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to keep your information secure.

This includes:

• Secure electronic record systems
• Password protection and access controls
• Secure storage of any paper records
• Limiting access to authorised persons only
   

We retain health records in line with Victorian and Australian legal requirements.

9. When We May Share Your Information

We only share your information when necessary and appropriate.

This may include sharing with:

• Your GP
• Your surgeon or specialist
• Other healthcare providers involved in your care
   

Information is shared:

• With your consent, or
• When required or permitted by law
   

We do not sell or rent your information.

10. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal and health information
• Request corrections if information is inaccurate or incomplete
• Ask questions about how your information is handled
   

Requests can be made by contacting us using the details below.

11. Accessing or Correcting Your Information

If you would like to:

• See your records
• Request a copy
• Ask for corrections
   

Please contact us.
We may need to verify your identity before releasing information.

In some situations, access may be limited as allowed by law, but we will explain why if this occurs.

12. Website Use

When you visit our website:

• We may collect basic information such as IP address or browser type
• This information helps improve website function and security
• We do not use website data to identify you unless you contact us directly
   

13. Making a Privacy Complaint

If you are concerned about how your information has been handled, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.

If you are not satisfied, you may contact:

• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
• www.oaic.gov.au
   

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The most current version will always be available on our website.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:

North East Stomal Therapy
📧 Email: northeaststomaltherapy@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 0413 158 818