Pathlab Privacy Policy

Commitment to Privacy and Data Protection

Introduction

At Pathology Associates Limited (“Pathlab” or “we”, “us” and “our”), we are committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and clients. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.

Collection of Personal Information

Pathlab collects personal information that is necessary for us to provide you with our laboratory and diagnostic services. This information may include, but is not limited to:

·         Your name, address, date of birth, gender, sex as assigned at birth, and contact details, including address, and phone numbers.

·         Health information relevant to the laboratory tests conducted.

·         Details of your healthcare provider and any referrals.

·         Billing and payment information.

 

We will collect information directly from you or from your healthcare provider with your consent.  It is not mandatory for you to provide this information.  However, if you do not provide this information, we will not be able to provide our laboratory and diagnostic services to you.

Limited device information may also be collected from your device when you access online services, as this is used for the technical functioning of websites and services.

Use of Personal Information

The personal information we collect is used to:

·         Provide laboratory testing and diagnostic services.

·         Communicate with you and your healthcare provider regarding referrals for testing and your test results.

·         Maintain our records and administer billing and payments.

·         Ensure the accuracy and quality of our services.

·         Research, training, and public health purposes.

·         Market our services to you.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Pathlab may disclose your personal information to:

·         Any healthcare provider with a legitimate role to assist with your diagnosis and treatment (for example, your general practitioner or a specialist).

·         Other laboratories, both in New Zealand and overseas, when required to perform testing and analysis that is not available at Pathlab.

·         Your representative including whanau / family only if you have authorised us to disclose information.

·         Third-party service providers who assist us in delivering our services.

·         Regulatory authorities if required by law.

·         Public health authorities as required by the Health Act 1956.

·         Research or training purposes, protected by strict security arrangements, and/or anonymisation.  

All third-party service providers that we use are required to comply with our privacy standards, and New Zealand privacy law and are vetted before we use them.

Pathlab MyWay utilises the Shopify eCommerce platform, their consumer privacy policy can be read at https://www.shopify.com/nz/legal/privacy/app-users

Data Processing and Storage

Data processing and storage activities are performed within New Zealand or overseas on secured facilities. Pathlab uses measures (see below) to ensure that your personal information is stored securely and is only accessible by authorised personnel.

Security of Personal Information

We have implemented appropriate technical, physical, organisational and procedural measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. These measures include but are not limited to:

·         Secure storage facilities.

·         Data encryption and secure communication channels.

·         Regular security audits and risk assessments.

Reports delivered by email (including Pathlab MyWay reports) are encrypted during transmission by industry standard mechanisms. However, they are not encrypted as attachments nor password protected. We recommend using a personal email address that only you have access to when utilising the Pathlab MyWay service.  It is your responsibility to ensure the security and confidentiality of the email address you provide.

Cookies and Tracking Information

Our websites may use cookies (cookies are small pieces of information stored on your device) to enable the correct functioning of our online services.

Third party suppliers may utilise tracking information to provide their services to us.

Your Rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

·         Access your personal information.

·         Request correction of any inaccuracies in your personal information.

·         Complain about any breaches of your privacy.

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact details provided below.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

·         Email: privacy@pathlab.co.nz

·         Phone: +64 7 578 7073

·         Mail: Privacy Officer, Pathlab, P. O. Box 130, Tauranga, 3140, New Zealand

Changes to this Privacy Policy

Pathlab may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on our website, and we encourage you to review this policy periodically.

By using our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.