Privacy
Privacy policy
How your personal and health information is collected, used and protected at Emma Sievwright Podiatry.
Emma Sievwright Podiatry is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what information is collected, how it is used, and your rights. It is provided in line with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020, which set out how health information must be handled.
Information collected
Depending on how you interact with the practice, the following may be collected:
- Contact details, such as your name, email address and phone number
- Health information relevant to your care, including your history, symptoms, assessment findings and treatment
- Appointment and account information
- Anything you choose to include in an enquiry or message
How your information is used
Your information is used to provide podiatry care, respond to your enquiries, manage appointments and records, and meet legal and professional obligations, including ACC requirements where relevant.
Health information
Health information is treated as confidential and handled under the Health Information Privacy Code 2020. It is only used for your care and for directly related purposes.
Sometimes information about you comes from someone else, such as a referral from your GP, physiotherapist or surgeon. When that happens you will be told what was received and why, unless an exception in the Code applies.
Sharing your information
Your information is never sold. It is shared only with your consent, or where it is necessary or permitted by law. This may include:
- ACC, where a claim is lodged or managed on your behalf
- Other health professionals involved in your care, such as your GP, physiotherapist or surgeon, where appropriate
- Situations where disclosure is required by law
Services that help run the practice
A small number of trusted providers store or process information on the practice's behalf. They may only use it to provide their service:
- Gensolve, the practice management and online booking system, provided through Back in Action Physiotherapy, which holds appointments and clinical records
- Heidi Health, an AI note-taking tool that may be used during appointments to help write clinical notes. Emma reviews and approves every note, and you can ask for it not to be used
- Email and accounting providers, for messages, invoices and payments
- Vercel, which hosts this website, and Google Analytics, described below
Some of these providers store or process information outside New Zealand, for example in Australia or the United States. Providers are chosen on the basis that they protect information to a standard comparable with New Zealand privacy law.
Storage and security
Your information is stored securely and access is limited to those who need it for your care. Health records are kept for at least 10 years from the day after your last appointment, as required by the Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996, and are then disposed of securely.
Cookies and tracking
This website uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site, such as which pages are viewed and how people arrive here. Google Analytics uses cookies, and Google processes basic technical details such as your browser type and IP address. The practice only sees aggregated reports, not who you are. It is not used to profile you or for advertising. You can opt out by using the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on or by blocking cookies in your browser.
Your rights
You have the right to ask what information is held about you, to request access to it, and to ask for it to be corrected if it is wrong. To do so, get in touch using the details below. Requests are answered as soon as possible and within 20 working days.
Privacy officer and contact
Emma Sievwright is the privacy officer for the practice. For any question about your privacy or this policy, email emma@espodiatry.co.nz. If you are not satisfied with how a concern has been handled, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. Last updated: October 2026.