Last Updated: June 2026

At Empowered Lactation and Midwifery, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information with care, respect and confidentiality. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store and disclose your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website, online booking systems, Telehealth services, clinic and home visit consultations, breast pump hire services and any other interactions with Empowered Lactation and Midwifery.

Collection of Personal Information

We may collect personal information and sensitive health information directly from you when you:

• Make an enquiry or booking

• Complete intake forms, questionnaires or consent forms

• Attend a consultation (clinic, home visit or telehealth)

• Hire a breast pump

• Purchase products or services

• Subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications

• Contact us by phone, email or social media

The information we collect may include:

• Name

• Date of birth

• Address

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Emergency contact details

• Medicare details

• Health fund information (where applicable)

• Pregnancy, birth and postnatal history

• Breastfeeding and infant feeding history

• Maternal and infant health information

• Medical history

• Medication information

• Referring healthcare providers

• Payment and billing information

Where reasonably necessary, we may collect information about your infant or child for the purpose of providing safe and appropriate healthcare services.

How We Use Your Information

We collect personal and health information to:

• Provide lactation and midwifery services

• Conduct clinical assessments

• Develop personalised care plans

• Communicate with you regarding appointments and follow-up care

• Process payments and issue invoices or receipts

• Manage breast pump hire agreements

• Process Medicare or other eligible claims

• Respond to enquiries

• Improve our services

• Meet legal, professional and regulatory obligations

With your consent, we may communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your care, including:

• General Practitioners (GPs)

• Paediatricians

• Maternal and Child Health Nurses

• Obstetricians

• Dentists

• Allied health professionals

• Hospitals and maternity services

This information sharing supports continuity of care and safe clinical management.

Clinical Records

As a healthcare provider, we maintain clinical records relating to consultations and services provided.

Clinical records may include:

• Consultation notes

• Assessment findings

• Care plans

• Correspondence with healthcare providers

• Consent forms

• Clinical photographs (where consent has been provided)

Clinical records are retained in accordance with applicable Australian healthcare record retention requirements.

Storage and Security of Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal and health information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Information may be stored securely using electronic practice management systems, including Cliniko, and other secure service providers used in the operation of our practice.

Some service providers may utilise secure cloud-based storage, which may be located within Australia or overseas. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure that providers maintain appropriate privacy and security standards.

Payment information is processed through secure third-party payment providers. We do not store credit card details on our own servers.

Telehealth Services

Telehealth consultations are conducted using the secure Telehealth platform provided through Cliniko.

While reasonable steps are taken to protect the privacy and security of telehealth consultations, electronic communications carry inherent risks and cannot be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Information shared during Telehealth consultations, including clinical assessments, recommendations and consultation notes, forms part of your clinical record and will be stored securely in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

By participating in a Telehealth consultation, you acknowledge and accept the limitations and risks associated with electronic communication.

AI-Assisted Clinical Documentation

Empowered Lactation and Midwifery may use secure third-party clinical documentation software, including AI-assisted scribing technology, to assist with the preparation of clinical notes and health records.

AI-assisted documentation technology may process information discussed during consultations, including personal information and health information, for the purpose of generating draft clinical notes and documentation. This technology is used solely as a documentation support tool and does not replace the professional judgement, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, or decision-making of Sarah Long.

All clinical documentation generated using AI-assisted technology is reviewed, verified, edited where necessary, and approved by Sarah Long before being incorporated into a patient's health record.

Empowered Lactation and Midwifery only engages third-party service providers that are intended for healthcare use and that implement appropriate privacy, security, and confidentiality safeguards. These providers may process information on secure servers located within Australia or other jurisdictions in accordance with their privacy obligations and contractual arrangements.

Personal information and health information processed through AI-assisted documentation systems will be managed in accordance with:

• The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs);
• Applicable State and Territory health records legislation;
• Professional obligations imposed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA); and
• Any other applicable laws relating to the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of health information.

The use of AI-assisted documentation is limited to supporting clinical record-keeping and practice administration. Information processed through these systems will not be used to make automated healthcare decisions or replace direct clinical care provided by a qualified health practitioner.

Patients may decline the use of AI-assisted documentation during their consultation. Where a patient does not consent, consultation notes will be completed using alternative documentation methods.

By engaging with Empowered Lactation and Midwifery services and providing consent to care, patients acknowledge that AI-assisted clinical documentation technology may be used as described in this Privacy Policy.

Disclosure of Information

We will only disclose your personal or health information if required:

• With your consent

• To healthcare providers involved in your care

• To Medicare

• To the Australian Government Department of Health

• To service providers who assist us in delivering our services

• Where required or authorised by law

• To protect the safety, rights or wellbeing of you, your child, our staff or others

We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information to third parties.

Marketing Communications

We may send you newsletters, educational content, updates or promotional information if you have:

• Subscribed to receive communications; or

• Provided consent during a booking or enquiry process.

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link provided or by contacting us directly.

Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Improve website functionality

• Understand how visitors use our website

• Analyse website traffic

• Improve user experience

Information collected through cookies is generally aggregated and does not identify individual users.

You may choose to disable cookies through your web browser settings, although some website features may not function correctly.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, policies or content of external websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any websites you visit.

Accessing and Correcting Your Information

You may request access to personal information we hold about you or request correction of inaccurate information. Requests should be made in writing via email. We will respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable privacy legislation. In some circumstances, access may be restricted where permitted by law.

Privacy Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us so we can attempt to resolve the matter.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology, professional obligations or business practices. The most current version will always be available on our website. Your continued use of our services following any updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

Questions About Privacy?

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is managed, please contact us at: info@empoweredlc.com.au