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Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 22, 2026

At Noosamind, we take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how Dr. Dhushan Illesinghe (referred to as "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, stores, and discloses your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant state legislation (including the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) where applicable).

1. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide you with specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment. This includes:

  • Personal details: Your name, date of birth, address, telephone numbers, and email address.
  • Billing details: Your Medicare number, Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) details, private health fund information, and credit card/payment details.
  • Clinical records: Referral letters, medical history, psychiatric assessment reports, diagnosis notes, treatment plans, medication records, and reports from other healthcare professionals.
  • Communication logs: Correspondence (emails, letters, phone call notes) between you, us, and other parties involved in your care.

2. How We Collect Information

We collect information in several ways:

  • Directly from you during consultations, intake forms, or phone calls.
  • From your referring practitioner (typically your General Practitioner) who provides a referral letter.
  • From other healthcare providers involved in your treatment (such as psychologists, specialist physicians, or hospital staff), with your consent.
  • From third-party payers (like Medicare or private health insurers) regarding your claims.

3. Purpose of Collection and Use

We collect, hold, use, and disclose your personal and health information for the primary purpose of:

  • Providing clinical psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • Communicating with your referring doctor and other members of your healthcare team.
  • Processing billing, payments, and Medicare/insurance claims.
  • Administrative tasks related to the running of the medical practice.
  • Meeting legal and professional obligations.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We will only disclose your personal or health information to third parties:

  • With your explicit consent, such as providing reports to your GP, psychologist, or legal representative.
  • When required or authorized by law, such as responding to a subpoena, court order, or mandatory reporting requirements.
  • When there is a serious and imminent threat to your life, health, or safety, or to public health and safety.
  • To process payments and claims through Medicare, DVA, or your private health insurer.

5. Security and Storage

Your information is stored securely in electronic formats with strict access controls. We use industry-standard electronic medical record software that employs encryption and secure servers.

Under Australian law, we are required to retain your health records for at least 7 years from the date of the last client contact, or until you reach the age of 25 if the records were collected when you were a child.

6. Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, the personal and health information we hold about you.

  • Requests for access should be made in writing.
  • We may charge a reasonable fee to cover the administrative cost of providing access to your records.
  • In limited circumstances permitted by law (e.g. if access would pose a serious threat to your life or health, or the privacy of others), access may be denied or restricted. If this occurs, we will provide you with written reasons.

7. Contact and Complaints

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about how your personal information is handled, please contact our practice directly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may refer your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):