Privacy Policy

Introduction

At Anara Health we understand that your personal and health information is highly confidential and sensitive. Anara Health is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in a responsible and transparent manner.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, and outlines the choices you have regarding how your information is used. We encourage you to read this policy carefully to understand your rights and our commitment to safeguarding your privacy.

Our Legal Obligations

Anara Health is bound by the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and applicable Australian privacy laws. These laws set out our obligations regarding the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of personal and health information. We strive to protect your personal information while ensuring your records remain accurate, secure, and accessible to you. Client information will only be released with your written consent, or where required or authorised by law.

What Is Personal Information?

"Personal information" means information or an opinion, whether true or not, and whether recorded in material form or not, about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

The personal information we may collect includes, but is not limited to:

Contact information such as your name, address, phone number, and email address
Date of birth, age, and gender
Health and pregnancy-related information relevant to your care

Collection of Personal Information

We collect personal information primarily in the context of consultations, appointments, and services provided by Anara Health.

This information may be collected directly from you through:

In-person or online consultations
Forms, intake questionnaires, and communications
Secure electronic systems used to manage bookings, client records, and communications

During consultations, you may choose to share additional information, including details about your pregnancy (such as estimated delivery date or referring practitioner) and aspects of your physical, emotional, and lifestyle health. This information is collected with your consent and may be updated at any time. By engaging in a consultation with Anara Health, you acknowledge that secure digital tools, including optional AI-assisted transcription, may be used to support clinical documentation, unless you choose to opt out.

How We Use Personal Information

We use your personal information for the primary purpose of providing health-related services, including:

Conducting consultations and delivering care
Managing appointments and client records
Communicating with you about your care or services

We may also use your personal information for purposes reasonably related to this primary purpose, such as follow-up communications to support your wellbeing. From time to time, we may contact you with general information about Anara Health services or updates. These communications may be sent in a de-identified or group format. You may opt out of these communications at any time.

Use of AI Transcription and Digital Documentation Tools

Anara Health may use secure AI-assisted transcription tools during live consultations to support accurate clinical note-taking and administrative documentation.

Consultations are not recorded for ongoing storage. Audio is processed live and any temporary audio or transcription data is stored only for the purpose of preparing clinical notes and is retained for no longer than seven (7) days, after which it is securely deleted.

Once clinical notes have been reviewed, finalised, and filed into your health record, AI-generated transcripts and any associated temporary files are permanently deleted and are not retained as part of your ongoing record.

Anara Health takes reasonable steps to ensure that any AI transcription tools used:

Comply with Australian privacy and health records legislation
Operate within secure, encrypted environments
Do not use client data to train public or third-party AI models
Do not retain, reuse, or disclose personal or health information beyond what is required to provide the transcription service

All information processed using AI transcription tools is treated with the same level of confidentiality and security as all other personal and health information held by Anara Health.

Opt-Out of AI Transcription

You have the right to opt out of the use of AI transcription tools at any time.

If you do not wish for AI transcription to be used during your consultation, please inform your practitioner prior to or at the commencement of your consultation.

Disclosure of Personal Information

We do not disclose your personal information to third parties unless:

You have provided consent
Disclosure is required or authorised by law
Disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health, or safety

Where third-party systems or service providers are used to support our operations, reasonable steps are taken to ensure they comply with Australian privacy and health records legislation.

Storage and Security of Personal Information

We recognise that the information we hold is often sensitive in nature. We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, or disclosure. Personal information is stored securely in electronic systems and/or physical files, accessible only to authorised personnel. Contact details may be used to confirm appointments, typically within 24 hours of the scheduled time. When leaving messages, Anara Health will not disclose the nature of the service to anyone other than the client. Messages will be identified as a personal call only. If we no longer require your personal information, we will securely delete or destroy it in accordance with legal and professional obligations.

Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request corrections if that information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. Requests can be made by contacting us using the details below. In some circumstances, access may be denied for legal or administrative reasons. If access is refused, we will provide you with written reasons for the decision.

Privacy Enquiries and Complaints

If you would like to access or correct your personal information, have a privacy-related complaint, or require further information about this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Email: info@anarahealth.com.au

We will investigate all enquiries and complaints and respond within a reasonable period of time.