Privacy

Introduction

National Hearing Care New Zealand is one of the largest private audiological practices in New Zealand. We provide high quality hearing assessment services and related products via our extensive network of permanent clinics. When you visit National Hearing Care for a hearing test, with your consent, we collect personal information from you (including information about your health) in order to provide you the best possible service.

Set out below is National Hearing Care New Zealand’s privacy practices and policies.

Collection of information

In signing a Privacy Notice you provide us with consent to use your personal information for the purposes listed below. This Privacy Notice ensures that you are aware that your personal information is being collected, the purpose of collection, who is going to receive the information, and your right to access and correct it.

Customer Number

A unique customer number is assigned to you due to our large customer database and so that we can correctly identify you. We assign these customer numbers automatically using our practice management IT system.

Purpose of collecting personal information

Personal information is collected for the purpose of providing and promoting audiology products and services to you. This includes:

• sending you appointment confirmation letters
• fitting you with hearing devices
• corresponding with allied health professionals
• sending you updates on our latest promotions
• facilitating claims from relevant Government and other funding bodies.

Disclosure to third parties

We may share your personal information with third parties who help us provide the products and services you have requested.

We do not sell, rent or lend client information to third parties.

Access of and correction to personal information

You are entitled to access the personal information that we hold about you. We endeavour to maintain correct client information. If you would like to access or correct the information we hold, you can contact our Privacy Officer at National Hearing Care, PO Box 35-777, Browns Bay, Auckland (phone 09 9951 0210).

Retention of personal information

We will not keep your personal information for longer than is needed for the purpose it was collected or legally required. In the event of a client changing audiology provider the client may request their information be sent to the new provider.

Storage and security of personal information

We endeavour to protect your personal information. It is held on a server in Auckland which is protected in a locked, secure and temperature controlled environment. It is also protected by a firewall to assist in preventing hackers and others from accessing information unlawfully.

Privacy Policy and Approach to Marketing Supplement (Contact Centre)

This document sets out National Hearing Care New Zealand’s privacy practices and policies and marketing approach in relation to the contact centre, and as such is an internal document for management use only.

Privacy Policy

Once a client has been invited into a clinic, they are asked to complete a questionnaire which is where we collate their personal information. This information is not shared with any other third party for any purposes other than the purpose for which the information was collected.

Clients are also asked to sign a Privacy Notice and Consent Form which provides consent to use their personal information for the purposes outlined.

Client information is stored on a server protected by firewalls in an attempt to prevent access by unauthorised third parties. Personal information will not be retained for longer than is needed for the purpose it was collected or legally required.

We ensure that all persons who have elected to join the Marketing Association of New Zealand’s Name Removal Register will not be called, by comparing our data against this list on a regular basis.

Code of Practice

We believe that we comply with the five basic principles set out in the Marketing Association of New Zealand’s Code of Practice for Direct Marketing:

• Marketers will comply with the laws and bylaws of New Zealand and all appropriate industry Codes of Practice
• Offers will be clear and truthful and not present a product, service, or offer in a way that could mislead the consumer
• Orders for products or services will be handled in a responsible and prompt manner
• Marketers will carry out their business in a way that is socially responsible
• Marketers will uphold high standards of business practice to bring about the trust of consumers.