Privacy Policy

Fouza Physiotherapy ("we", "us", or "the practice") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable South African law.

By using our website, booking an appointment, or engaging with our services, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy.

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

• Contact information: name, phone number, email address, and physical address.
• Health information: medical history, current symptoms, previous treatments, imaging and reports, medications, and clinical notes recorded during your care (special personal information under POPIA, handled with heightened care).
• Booking and payment information:appointment details, attendance records, and billing information (we do not store full card details).
• Website usage information: pages visited, device and browser type, and general analytics data collected via cookies or similar technologies.
• Communications: messages sent via our contact form, email, or WhatsApp.

We use your personal information to:

• Provide safe, appropriate physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
• Schedule, confirm, and manage appointments.
• Generate invoices and professional statements for medical aid claims.
• Communicate with you about your care, including reminders and follow-ups.
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and HPCSA record-keeping obligations.
• Improve our website and services, with your consent where required.

We process your personal information based on your consent, the necessity of processing to provide healthcare services to you, compliance with legal obligations (including HPCSA and health record-keeping requirements), and our legitimate interests in operating the practice responsibly.

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Other healthcare providers involved in your care, with your consent or where clinically necessary (e.g. referring doctors or surgeons).
• Medical aid schemes, when you submit statements we provide for reimbursement purposes.
• Service providers who support our operations (such as booking, hosting, or email platforms), under appropriate confidentiality obligations.
• Regulatory bodies or legal authorities where required by law.

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against loss, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure, consistent with the requirements of POPIA. Clinical records are stored securely and access is limited to authorised staff involved in your care.

We retain clinical records for the period required by HPCSA guidelines and South African law, and other personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law.

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction or updating of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal and clinical record-keeping obligations.
• Object to certain types of processing, such as marketing communications.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your rights have been infringed.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to understand usage patterns and improve your browsing experience. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Where we treat minors, personal information is collected and processed with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, in accordance with applicable law.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

• Email: fouza.physiotherapy@gmail.com
• WhatsApp: available via the contact page
• Address: 47 Upper Duke Street, Walmer Estate, Cape Town, 7925