Privacy Policy
Last Updated: May 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how the medical practice of Dr Rahul Tipnis (GP) ("the Clinic," "we," "us," or "our") handles your personal and health information. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic), and AHPRA guidelines.
1. Collection of Personal and Health Information
As a provider of specialised surgical services, including no-scalpel vasectomy and circumcision, we collect "sensitive information" necessary for your care. This includes:
Personal Details: Your name, age, contact information, and residency.
Clinical Data: Medical history, clinical indications (such as Phimosis or lichen Sclerosus), and suitability assessments.
Surgical Records: Information regarding specific techniques used, such as ZSR Stapler, Plastibell, or open-ended vasectomy.
Interstate/Regional Data: Information regarding travel and local stay arrangements for patients visiting from Geelong, Ballarat, Tasmania, or South Australia.
Payment Information: Details required for processing payments and third-party plans.
2. Purpose of Collection and Use
We collect and use your data strictly for the following purposes:
Clinical Care: To provide safe surgical assessment and management.
Telehealth: To facilitate remote consultations for regional and interstate families.
Follow-up: To manage post-operative recovery and mandatory semen analysis for vasectomy patients.
Administration: Processing payments and payment plans via providers like Afterpay or Zip Money.
Legal Compliance: Meeting regulatory and clinical audit obligations.
3. Disclosure of Information to Third Parties
We do not sell your data. We only disclose your information in the following circumstances:
Medical Referrals: If you choose to seek a second opinion or require hospital-based sedation at Wyndham Clinic Private Hospital. To other healthcare providers involved in your care (e.g., your regular GP)
Financial & Transactional Data: When you choose to pay via third-party providers such as Afterpay or Zip Money, we disclose transactional data (including your name, contact details, and the cost of the procedure) to these providers to facilitate the payment plan. Please note that clinical health records are not shared with financial providers.
Cross-Border Disclosure: While we prioritise local storage, some data may be stored or processed via secure, clinical-grade cloud service providers that may utilise servers located outside of Australia.
Legal Requirements: Where required by law or AHPRA regulations or for de-identified quality improvement audit
4. Digital Advertising and Google Ads
To ensure compliance with Google's "Healthcare and Medicines" advertising policies:
Personalised Advertising Disclosure: We strictly adhere to Google’s personalised advertising policies. We do not use 'Remarketing' or personalised advertising based on sensitive health data, medical conditions, or interest categories.
Non-Personalised Advertising: We use Google Ads to inform the public of our services. We do not use your specific medical conditions or "sensitive interest categories" for personalised remarketing.
Cookies & Anonymity: Our website uses cookies to analyse regional traffic and improve user experience. Analytics are processed in a way that does not identify individual health conditions.
5. Security, Storage, and Retention
Security: Your health records are stored within secure, clinical-grade software systems. While we take all reasonable steps to protect data, no digital transmission is entirely secure.
Retention Period: In accordance with Australian medical record laws, we generally retain adult health records for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last entry (or until age 25 for records collected during childhood).
Right to Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal information; however, please note that we must fulfil our legal and clinical obligations regarding the mandatory retention of medical records before such a request can be finalised.
6. Access, Correction, and Portability
Access & Portability: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. We can provide these records in a digital format to facilitate data portability between healthcare providers.
Correction: If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact the clinic in writing to request a correction.
7. Mandatory Medical Notice
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, including infection, bleeding, and scarring. Individual results vary, and we encourage all patients to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding.
8. Contact Information
Privacy Officer Circ Vas Doctor 583 Tarneit Road, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029
Phone: 1300 714 358 or 0477 970 057
Email: admin@circvasdoctor.com.au
You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or the Health Complaints Commissioner (Victoria) if you have a privacy complaint that we cannot resolve.
Dr Rahul Tipnis (GP) | FRACGP | AHPRA Registration: MED0001552566.
Registered Medical Practitioner in Australia.