DR Steven Pretorius

Menu
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Privacy Policy

Silver Lakes Medical Practice
Effective Date: 2025

Silver Lakes Medical Practice (“we”, “our”, “the Practice”) is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and personal information of all patients and visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other applicable South African laws.

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following personal and medical information:

1.1 Personal Information

  • Full name

  • Identity number or date of birth

  • Contact details (email, phone number, address)

  • Medical aid information

  • Next of kin/emergency contacts

1.2 Medical Information

  • Medical history

  • Clinical notes from consultations

  • Diagnostic results (blood tests, X-rays, etc.)

  • Prescriptions and treatment plans

  • Referrals, reports, and medical certificates

1.3 Website & Digital Data

When you visit our website or use online booking:

  • IP address

  • Browser type & device information

  • Cookies (for site performance & analytics)

  • Information voluntarily submitted via forms

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide medical consultations and treatment

  • Maintain accurate medical records

  • Communicate about appointments and results

  • Issue prescriptions, referrals, and certificates

  • Process medical aid claims

  • Improve our services and patient experience

  • Comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations

We will never sell your information.

3. Sharing of Information

We only share personal or medical information when necessary and lawful, including:

3.1 With Your Consent

  • Referrals to specialists

  • Communication with your medical aid

  • Completing employer, insurance, or legal reports

3.2 Without Prior Consent (where legally allowed)

  • When required by law, court order, or regulatory body

  • To prevent serious harm or risk to a patient’s life

  • When reporting notifiable diseases as required by law

All third parties are required to uphold strict confidentiality.

4. How We Store & Protect Information

We use a combination of physical, technical, and administrative safeguards including:

  • Secure password-protected electronic systems

  • Encrypted communication where applicable

  • Locked, access-restricted physical files

  • Staff confidentiality agreements

  • Regular security updates and data protection checks

Patient records are retained as required by South African law and medical regulatory standards.

5. Your Rights Under POPIA

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information

  • Ask for corrections or updates

  • Object to unlawful processing

  • Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)

  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

Information Regulator website: https://inforegulator.org.za/

6. Cookies & Website Tracking

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to:

  • Enhance user experience

  • Improve website performance

  • Track general usage trends

You may disable cookies in your browser settings, but certain features may not work optimally.

7. Third-Party Services

We may use trusted third-party platforms such as:

  • RecoMed (for online bookings)

  • Medical aid systems

  • Laboratory services

These providers are required to comply with POPIA and protect your information.

8. Children’s Privacy

We collect and process children’s information only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and only for lawful medical purposes.

9. Email, SMS & WhatsApp Communication

We may contact you via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, or email for:

  • Appointment confirmations

  • Follow-up reminders

  • Clinical updates

  • Administrative communication

Sensitive medical information will not be sent via unsecured channels unless you request it.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally. The most current version will always be available on our website or at reception.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or wish to exercise your POPIA rights, please contact:

Silver Lakes Medical Practice
32 Ballybunion Avenue
Silver Lakes Golf Estate
Pretoria, South Africa

📞 012 809 3107
📞 083 628 0600
📧 silverlakesmedical@gmail.com