Legal
Privacy notice
How Essence Mother & Baby Clinic handles your personal and health information under the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
Who we are
Essence Mother and Baby Clinic (Pty) Ltd (registration number 2023/541372/07), Vita Life Mother and Child Health Centre, 18 Swartgoud Street, Ridgeway, Johannesburg South. We are the responsible party for the information described here. You can reach us on 078 195 4083.
What we collect
Your name, contact details, date of birth and ID or passport number; your pregnancy, medical and family history; your baby’s health and immunisation records; billing and payment records; and, on this website, the details you enter in the appointment form.
Why we use it
- Healthcare and clinical records. POPIA s27(1)(d) / s32, provision of health care
- Billing and accounts (shared with our accounting system). Contract (s11(1)(b))
- Appointment and immunisation reminders by SMS / email. Consent (s11(1)(a)) Optional; you can withdraw at any time.
- Pregnancy and baby education messages. Consent (s11(1)(a)) Optional; you can withdraw at any time.
- News and offers from the clinic. Consent (s69 direct marketing) Optional; you can withdraw at any time.
- Anonymised use for service improvement. Consent (s11(1)(a)) Optional; you can withdraw at any time.
Who we share it with
Only those who need it to care for you or run the clinic: doctors, hospitals and laboratories you are referred to; our accounting system (billing details only, never clinical notes); our hosting provider; and SMS and email providers for messages you agreed to. Each operator is bound by an agreement to protect your information. We never sell it.
How we protect it
Records are kept in an access-controlled system. Staff only see what their role needs, sign-ins are protected, and access is logged.
How long we keep it
Clinical records: 6 years after your last visit; for children, until they turn 21. Website enquiries that do not become appointments: 180 days.
Your rights
You may ask to see, correct or delete your information, or object to its use, in the patient portal under Privacy or by contacting the clinic. You may complain to the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za.
This website
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