This Privacy Policy outlines how Dr Kobus van der Walt’s psychiatric practice collects, uses, and protects your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the ethical guidelines of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

By using this website, you agree to the terms outlined below.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of information:

• Personal Information: Name, contact details (email address, phone number), ID/passport number, address, and demographic data.
• Medical Information: Health history, referrals, treatment details (when provided via secure channels or during consultations).
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and website usage data collected via cookies or analytics tools.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used to:

• Schedule and manage consultations
• Respond to enquiries and referrals
• Provide appropriate psychiatric or interventional care
• Submit medical aid pre-authorisations
• Monitor treatment outcomes (where consent is provided)
• Improve our website and services

We will never use your information for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

3. Storage and Security of Data

All personal and medical information is:

• Stored securely and confidentially, whether in physical or electronic form
• Protected by appropriate safeguards (e.g. password protection, secure cloud storage, practice management software)
• Only accessible to authorised personnel involved in your care

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.

4. Sharing of Information

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

Information may be shared:

• With referring or treating healthcare professionals (with your consent)
• With medical aid providers for authorisation or claims
• When legally required (e.g. subpoena, medical emergencies, or reporting requirements)

5. Patient Rights

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
• Withdraw consent for certain uses of your data
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

6. Cookies and Analytics

This website may use cookies and tracking tools to improve user experience and gather website performance data. You may disable cookies in your browser settings at any time.

7. Links to External Websites

Our website may contain links to trusted external resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.

8. Updates to This Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time to reflect legal changes or improvements to our services. Please review it periodically.

9. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your rights under POPIA, please contact:

Dr Kobus van der Walt: +27 (0)21 852 8836  |  e: reception@drkobusvanderwalt.co.za

Last updated: 10 May 2025