Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 01/02/2025

1. PART 1 – ABOUT THIS POLICY

1.1 Purpose

Everyone Can Communicate, operating under the sole trader name Sarah Jean Howell (ABN 75 720 515 865), is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information that we collect and hold about clients. We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as well as other privacy laws that govern how private sector health service providers like Everyone Can Communicate handle personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we manage the personal information we collect, use, and disclose.

This Privacy Policy applies to everyone who visits our website or interacts with our services, including those who use our client portal or submit referrals for speech pathology services. By using our website and services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.

2. PART 2 – HOW EVERYONE CAN COMMUNICATE HANDLES YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

2.1 Legal Obligations

In order to provide you with the speech pathology services you have requested, Everyone Can Communicate will need to collect and use your personal information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information, or withhold personal or health information, we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking.

We are required to comply with legal obligations, including those set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Health Records and Information Privacy Act, and other applicable privacy and health information regulations.

2.2 What Information Do We Collect?

We collect personal information that is necessary for the provision of our speech pathology services and for managing our relationship with you. The types of personal information we collect include:

  • Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number, referral details, and other contact information.

  • Client Portal Data: Information provided when creating an account on our client portal (e.g., login credentials) and information provided when interacting with our client portal webpages.

  • Referral Information: Details you provide when submitting a referral for speech pathology services, including relevant medical or personal information as needed.

  • Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, such as IP addresses, browser type, and pages visited.

  • Health and Therapy Information: Medical history, speech and language assessments, and progress notes collected during therapy sessions.

2.3 How Does Everyone Can Communicate Collect Health Information?

We primarily collect your health information directly from you when you visit our website, submit a referral, or interact with our services. On occasion, we may collect information from a third party, such as a relative, medical practitioner, or another health service provider, with your consent.

2.4 How Does Everyone Can Communicate Use Your Information?

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

  • To Provide Speech Pathology Services: To respond to inquiries, process referrals, schedule appointments, and manage your client account via the portal.

  • To Track Progress and Adapt Treatment: To monitor and adapt your therapy based on ongoing assessments, progress notes, and treatment plans.

  • To Improve Our Services: To improve our website, client portal, and overall services.

  • To Communicate with You: To send you important updates about our services, appointments, or other relevant information.

  • For Administrative and Legal Purposes: To meet legal requirements, regulations, and internal policies.

2.5 Who Might We Disclose Your Information To?

We may disclose your information to the following individuals or entities, subject to your consent or legal requirements:

  • Health Professionals: We may disclose your personal information to other health professionals involved in your treatment (e.g., occupational therapists, psychologists) for coordinated care.

  • Referrers: We may send a discharge summary to your referring medical practitioner or relevant health professional, unless you request otherwise.

  • Relatives or Legal Representatives: We may share information with your family, guardian, or legal representative unless you specifically request that we do not.

  • Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers (e.g., website hosting, payment processors), who are bound by confidentiality agreements.

  • Administrative Support: We may disclose limited information to our accounting and bookkeeping service providers for billing and account management purposes.

  • Government or Health Bodies: We may share information with Medicare or NDIS to verify treatment or claims.

2.6 Access to and Correction of Your Information

You have the right to request access to the personal and health information we hold about you. You can also request corrections to this information if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.

If we disagree with your request for a change to your record, you may request a statement of the changes, which we will add to your record.

2.7 Data Quality

We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect, use, and disclose is accurate, complete, and up to date.

2.8 Data Security

We use secure technologies and processes, including encryption, access controls, and physical security measures, to protect your personal information. While we implement strong security measures, no method of data transmission over the internet is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

2.9 Complaints about Privacy Issues

If you have any concerns or complaints about how we handle your personal information, or if you wish to exercise any of your privacy rights, please contact us. We will investigate your concerns and respond promptly.

3. PART 3 – HOW EVERYONE CAN COMMUNICATE HANDLES YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION WHEN YOU VISIT OUR WEBSITE

3.1 Collection of Information

When you visit our website, we collect certain personal information for the purposes of improving your user experience, such as through cookies and tracking technologies. We may also collect personal information when you:

  • Submit inquiries or questions through our contact forms.

  • Register for updates or our client portal.

  • Provide feedback or make a complaint.

3.2 Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small files that are stored on your device to remember your preferences and activities on the site. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, but please note that rejecting cookies may affect the functionality of certain features on our website.

3.3 Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites before providing them with your personal information.

3.4 Use and Disclosure of Website Information

We may use the information collected from our website for improving our services, analysing website usage, and communicating with you. We will only use or disclose this information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

4. PART 4 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal information.

5. PART 5 – CONTACT US

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

  • Email: admin@everyonecancommunicate.com.au

  • Mailing Address: PO Box 775, Wallaroo, South Australia, 5556

Thank you for trusting Everyone Can Communicate with your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy while delivering high-quality speech pathology services.