Arthritis Care Centre (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects the privacy of our website visitors and patients. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information when you visit our website, contact us, or submit information through our online forms.
By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information, depending on how you interact with our website.
Personal Information
When you contact us or request an appointment, we may collect:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Preferred appointment date or time
- Information submitted through contact or appointment forms
- Any other details you voluntarily provide
Medical Information
If you voluntarily provide information about your symptoms, medical history, or healthcare needs through an appropriate form or communication channel, we may process that information to respond to your enquiry or coordinate relevant healthcare services.
Please avoid submitting sensitive medical information through general website forms unless it is necessary and the form is intended for that purpose.
Technical Information
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device and operating system information
- Pages visited and time spent on the website
- Referring website or traffic source
- Basic website usage and diagnostic information
The information collected depends on the website’s configuration and the tools or services we use.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use collected information to:
- Respond to questions and enquiries.
- Process and manage appointment requests.
- Communicate information about our services.
- Provide relevant customer support.
- Improve website functionality and user experience.
- Monitor website performance and prevent spam, fraud, or unauthorized activity.
- Maintain appropriate business and administrative records.
- Comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
We will not use personal information for purposes incompatible with those described in this policy without an appropriate legal basis.
3. Medical Information and Confidentiality
We understand that medical information is personal and sensitive.
Any medical information you provide will be handled with appropriate care and used only for relevant purposes, such as responding to your enquiry or coordinating care, subject to applicable law.
Submitting information through this website does not, by itself, establish a doctor-patient relationship or guarantee that your information has been received by a healthcare professional.
Please do not use the website’s general contact form for medical emergencies. Seek immediate assistance from local emergency services or the nearest emergency department when necessary.
4. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support essential functionality, remember preferences, improve performance, and understand how visitors use the website.
Depending on the tools installed, cookies may be used for:
- Website functionality and security
- Remembering user preferences
- Website traffic and performance analytics
- Marketing and advertising measurement
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Where required by applicable law, we will request consent before using non-essential cookies or similar tracking technologies.
5. Sharing of Personal Information
We do not sell personal information to third parties.
We may share information when reasonably necessary with:
- Website hosting and maintenance providers: To operate, secure, and maintain our website.
- Communication and appointment tools: To respond to enquiries and manage appointment requests.
- Analytics or security providers: To monitor website performance and protect against malicious activity.
- Professional advisers: Where necessary for legitimate legal, accounting, or compliance purposes.
- Government authorities or other parties: Where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect legal rights and safety.
Third-party service providers may process information on our behalf or under their own privacy policies, depending on the service involved. We aim to work with providers that apply appropriate safeguards.
6. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may include links to third-party websites, maps, social media platforms, online communication services, or other external tools.
These third parties may collect information in accordance with their own privacy policies. Arthritis Care Centre does not control the privacy practices of external websites and is not responsible for their independent data collection.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.
7. Data Storage and Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss, or misuse.
These measures may include access controls, website security tools, software updates, and appropriate safeguards provided by our hosting or service providers.
However, no method of online transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted through the internet.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, manage enquiries and appointments, maintain appropriate records, and meet applicable legal or regulatory obligations.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, the reason it was collected, and any applicable requirements for healthcare records.
When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete it or securely dispose of it, subject to applicable legal obligations.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you.
- Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion of information where legally permitted.
- Object to or request restrictions on certain processing activities.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Raise a concern or complaint about how your information is handled.
These rights may be subject to legal requirements, including obligations to retain certain healthcare or administrative records.
To make a privacy-related request, please contact us using the details provided below.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate authorization where required by law.
If a parent or legal guardian believes that a child has provided personal information through our website inappropriately, they may contact us to request that we review the information and take appropriate action, subject to applicable legal and recordkeeping requirements.
11. International Data Transfers
Some website hosting providers or third-party services may store or process information in countries outside your location.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer and processing comply with applicable legal requirements and any necessary safeguards.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our website, services, technology, or legal obligations.
Any updates will be published on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a request concerning your personal information, please contact us:
Arthritis Care Centre
Email: clinicarthritiscare@gmail.com
Website: www.arthritiscarecentre.org
We will make reasonable efforts to review and respond to privacy-related enquiries in accordance with applicable requirements.