Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Dr Lerissa Pillay Specialist Paediatrician handles personal information submitted through this website, enquiry forms, email communication and practice-related interactions. It is written for parents, guardians, patients and visitors who want to understand how their information is collected, used, stored and protected.

For the purposes of this website and practice communication, Dr Lerissa Pillay Specialist Paediatrician is the responsible party for personal information collected directly through the website or provided to the practice for enquiries, bookings and care-related administration. Queries about privacy may be sent to info@northcoastpaediatrics.co.za.

The practice may collect basic identifying and contact information such as a parent or guardian name, child or patient name, email address, phone number, enquiry details, appointment-related information and any information voluntarily submitted through forms or direct communication. Health-related information should only be shared through appropriate practice channels when required for care or administration.

Because this is a paediatric practice, some information may relate to children. Child information is handled with additional care and should normally be provided by a parent, legal guardian or authorised person. Information relating to a child’s health, care needs or appointment request is treated as sensitive and should not be submitted casually through public channels.

Personal information may be used to respond to enquiries, manage appointment requests, communicate practice information, support patient administration, maintain records, improve website functionality and meet legal or professional obligations. Information is not collected for purposes unrelated to the practice unless a lawful basis exists.

This policy is informed by South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013, commonly known as POPIA. POPIA promotes the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies and introduces conditions for lawful processing. The practice aims to process information lawfully, fairly and only for appropriate purposes.

Personal information is not sold. It may be shared where necessary with authorised staff, healthcare providers involved in care, service providers who support the website or practice systems, medical administrators, regulatory bodies, or other parties where required or allowed by law. Sharing is limited to what is necessary for the relevant purpose.

Reasonable administrative, technical and organisational safeguards are used to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, misuse, disclosure, alteration or destruction. No website or electronic communication method can be guaranteed completely secure, so visitors should avoid submitting unnecessary sensitive information through general website forms.

Information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, for continuity of care, for administrative needs, or to comply with legal, ethical and professional record-keeping obligations. When information is no longer required, it should be securely deleted, de-identified or archived where appropriate.

You may request access to your personal information, ask for correction of inaccurate information, object to certain processing where the law allows, or raise a privacy concern with the practice. You may also contact the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your personal information rights have not been respected.