Last updated: October 2026
Reflux & Swallowing Center (Dr Ali Zad, Gastroenterologist) (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, store and disclose your personal and health information in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
1. What information we collect
We collect information needed to provide you with medical care, including:
- your name, date of birth, address, phone number and email address;
- your Medicare number, private health insurance details and DVA details (if applicable);
- your medical history, symptoms, medications, test results and referral letters;
- information about your GP and other treating health practitioners;
- information you enter into our online appointment request form, including the reason for your visit;
- basic website usage information (see section 7).
2. How we collect your information
We collect information directly from you when you book an appointment (online, by phone or email), complete registration forms, or attend a consultation or procedure. With your consent, or where permitted by law, we may also collect information from your GP, other specialists, hospitals, pathology and imaging providers, and your health fund.
You may deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym where it is lawful and practical, but in most cases we need to identify you to provide safe care and to process Medicare and health fund claims.
3. Why we collect, use and disclose your information
We use your information to:
- arrange and confirm appointments and procedures;
- assess, diagnose and treat your condition;
- communicate with your GP, referring doctor and other health professionals involved in your care;
- arrange procedures and admissions at the hospitals where we consult;
- process billing, Medicare and private health insurance claims;
- send appointment reminders and results-related communications;
- meet our legal, professional and quality assurance obligations.
We may disclose your information to: your GP and other treating practitioners; hospitals and day hospitals where your procedure takes place; pathology and imaging providers; Medicare Australia, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and your health fund; our IT, software and service providers who are bound to protect your information; and other parties where required or authorised by law (for example, a court order or mandatory reporting).
We do not sell your personal information. We will not use your health information for marketing.
4. Storage and security
Your information is stored in electronic and paper records. We take reasonable steps to protect it from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure, including password-protected systems, restricted staff access and confidentiality obligations for all staff. Records are kept for as long as required by law and then securely destroyed or de-identified.
5. Overseas disclosure
Some of our service providers, including our email and website hosting providers, may store data on servers located outside Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure those providers handle your information consistently with the Australian Privacy Principles.
6. Accessing and correcting your information
You may request access to the personal and health information we hold about you, or ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete. Please make your request in writing to the contact details below. We will respond within a reasonable time (usually 30 days). We do not charge a fee for providing copies of your records. In limited circumstances permitted by law, access may be refused, and we will explain why.
7. Our website
Our website uses cookies and analytics and advertising tools (such as Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics and social media advertising pixels) to understand how visitors use the site and to measure the effectiveness of our advertising. These tools collect information such as pages visited, device and browser type, and the website or ad that referred you. They do not collect the health information you type into our appointment form. You can disable cookies in your browser settings.
Information submitted through our online appointment request form is sent to our reception team so they can contact you. Please do not include urgent medical information in the form. In a medical emergency, call 000.
8. Data breaches
If a data breach is likely to result in serious harm to you, we will notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.
9. Complaints
If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve it. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au or 1300 363 992, or the Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman at www.oho.qld.gov.au or 133 646.
10. Contact us
Privacy Officer
Reflux & Swallowing Center
Brisbane Private Hospital, 259 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000
Phone: 07 2111 2600
Email: reception.gasteroenterology@gmail.com
We may update this policy from time to time. The current version is always available on this page.
