privacy statement
From 1 May 2026, privacy laws have changed to improve how patients are informed about their health information. At St Martins Medical Practice, we want to be clear about how we collect, receive, use, and share your information.
As part of your care, we receive and share information with other healthcare providers and organisations involved in supporting your health.
How we collect information about you:
While much of your health information comes directly from you, we also receive and share information with other services involved in your care. This may include:
From other health providers:
- Laboratory, radiology, or other test results
- Shared health records, including systems such as Health Connect South, which allow authorised healthcare providers to securely access relevant information (such as hospital records, test results, and medications) to support your care
- Letters and updates from hospitals, emergency departments, pharmacies, after-hours services, specialists, and allied health providers
- Information from national screening programmes (such as bowel, breast, or cervical screening) and the National Immunisation Register, including results or attendance
From other organisations (when relevant to your care and with your consent):
- Government or support agencies such as Work and Income New Zealand, ACC, Oranga Tamariki
- Insurance companies
- Employers (for example, information relating to fitness for work)
- Occupational health services
If concerns are raised about the care or services we provide, we may disclose relevant health information to our regulators, insurers, indemnity providers, or legal advisers for the purpose of managing and responding to those concerns. We will only disclose the information necessary for this purpose and will protect your privacy wherever possible.
What this means for you:
This information helps us:
- Keep your health record up to date
- Enables us to provide safe, coordinated care
Information from family, friends and others
Family members, partners and friends can often provide valuable information that helps us care for our patients. If you are concerned about someone’s health, wellbeing or safety, we encourage you to get in touch.
Under privacy law, patients generally have a right to know when we receive information about them from someone else. However, there are exceptions, including situations where telling the patient could compromise their care or treatment, or put someone’s health or safety at risk.
If you would prefer the patient not to know that you have contacted us, please tell us before sharing any information about them. We can explain the privacy requirements and discuss how we may be able to manage your concerns about confidentiality before you decide what to share.
Every situation is different, and we will carefully consider the circumstances, including the wellbeing and safety of everyone involved.
Although we cannot always guarantee confidentiality, please don’t let this discourage you from contacting us if you are worried about someone. Information from family, friends and others can be extremely valuable in helping us provide safe and appropriate care.
You can read more about these requirements on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s website.
Your rights:
You have the right to:
- Request access to the health information we hold about you
- Ask for corrections if you believe something is inaccurate
- Raise any concerns about privacy with us and, if necessary, with the Privacy Commissioner
Our commitment to you:
We only collect, use, and share information that is needed to care for you or that we are legally required to manage. We handle your information with care, respect, and confidentiality.
If you have any questions about your privacy or how your information is used, you are always welcome to ask. You can email admin@stmartinsmc.co.nz with any queries.
Please note that this practice is contributing to, and accessing healthcare information from HealthOne.
What is HealthOne?
HealthOne is a South Island based secure electronic record that allows registered healthcare providers directly involved in your healthcare, to quickly access information such as your test results, allergies, medications, GP summaries and hospital information. HealthOne adheres to the principles of the Privacy Act 2020 as well as the Rules set out in the Health Information Privacy Code 2020. Access is only possible via an approved highly secure healthcare information network which is regularly audited and tested. Privacy auditing is used to check that only those directly involved in your care are accessing your information. To find out more about HealthOne please visit https://healthone.org.nz/.
Please note that you are entitled to restrict the sharing of your healthcare records by contacting 0508 837 872 or emailing HealthOne.privacy@pegasus.health.nz”
Further information is available on the attached HealthOne pamphlet.
Page updated: 15/06/2026