Introduction

Dr Renee Wong and Wongsta Pty Ltd Trustee for Wongsta Unit Trust ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and applicable health privacy legislation including the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

By engaging with our practice or using our website, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following personal and health information:

• Full name, date of birth, address, and contact details

• Medicare number, private health insurance details, and pension or concession card information

• Medical history, current health conditions, medications, allergies, and test results

• Obstetric and gynaecological history, including previous pregnancies

• Referral letters and correspondence from other treating practitioners

• Appointment history, clinical notes, and treatment records

• Payment and billing information

• Next of kin and emergency contact details

When you visit our website, we may also collect non-identifying information including your IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited. This data is collected in anonymised form and does not personally identify you.

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal and health information when you:

• Register as a new patient or book an appointment

• Attend a consultation with Dr Renee Wong or a member of our team

• Are referred to us by a GP, specialist, or other healthcare provider

• Contact us by phone, email, or via our website enquiry form

• Complete intake or consent forms

• Interact with our website or digital platforms

3. Why We Collect Your Information

Your information is collected and used to:

• Provide safe, effective, and continuous obstetric and gynaecological care

• Communicate with you regarding appointments, test results, and treatment

• Liaise with other healthcare professionals involved in your care, including GPs, midwives, anaesthetists, and allied health providers

• Process Medicare claims, private health insurance rebates, and billing

• Meet our legal, regulatory, and professional obligations including mandatory reporting requirements

• Improve the quality and safety of our services

• Analyse anonymised website usage to improve functionality and user experience

4. Disclosure of Your Information

Your personal and health information may be shared where necessary for your care or as required by law, including with:

• Treating practitioners and allied health professionals involved in your care

• Pathology, diagnostic imaging, and specialist services

• Frances Perry House and the Royal Women's Hospital where clinically relevant

• Medicare Australia and private health insurance funds

• Regulatory bodies, legal authorities, or law enforcement where required by law

• Our practice management and billing software providers, who are bound by strict privacy obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party. Information will only be disclosed beyond your direct care team with your consent, or where required or permitted by law.

5. Sensitive Health Information

As a medical practice, much of the information we collect is classified as sensitive health information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This information is afforded a higher level of protection and will only be collected, used, and disclosed where necessary for the provision of healthcare services or as otherwise permitted by law.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all patients. Information relating to gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, or family structure will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.

6. Storage and Security

We take all reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure:

• Paper records are stored securely in restricted access areas

• Electronic health records are stored on secure, password-protected clinical management systems

• Access to patient information is limited to authorised staff only

• Third-party digital service providers engaged by our practice are required to comply with strict privacy and security standards

We retain health records in accordance with the requirements of the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic), which requires medical records to be retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of last entry, or until a patient turns 25 years of age — whichever is later.

7. Website and Digital Privacy

When you visit our website:

• Cookies and similar technologies may be used to collect anonymised data about how you navigate the site

• Third-party tools such as Google Analytics may collect anonymised usage data to help us understand site performance and improve the user experience

• You may disable cookies through your browser settings at any time without affecting your ability to use the site

Our website may contain links to external websites, including Frances Perry House and Health 4 Women Physiotherapy. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.

No data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be 100 per cent secure. As a result of this, while we aim to protect the personal information of all users, we can not ensure or warrant the security of any information transmitted to it from any online product or service and therefore, the users do so at their own risk. Once the information is received by us, every effort is made to ensure the security of the information on the systems. 

8. Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to the personal and health information we hold about you, and to request corrections if you believe it is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. Requests should be submitted in writing to our practice. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with the APPs. In some circumstances, access may be limited where permitted by law, in which case we will provide reasons.

9. Complaints

If you have a concern about how your personal or health information has been handled, please contact our practice in the first instance. We will investigate your concern promptly and work to resolve it to your satisfaction.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
🌐 www.oaic.gov.au 📞 1300 363 992

Health Complaints Commissioner Victoria
🌐 www.hcc.vic.gov.au 📞 1300 582 113

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in legislation, clinical practice, or digital technology. The current version will always be available on our website. We encourage you to review it from time to time.

11. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact our practice:

Dr Renee Wong
Suite B, Level 2
20 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
info@drreneewong.com.au
03 9961 7388

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.

Last updated: March 2026