This Privacy Policy describes how Shore Wellness ("the Clinic", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and discloses your personal information and personal health information when you visit our website, book or receive healthcare services (including Acupuncture and Virtual Holistic Nutrition), or otherwise communicate with us (collectively, the "Services").

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, "you" and "your" refers to you as the user of our Services, whether you are a patient, website visitor, or another individual whose information we collect pursuant to applicable privacy legislation.

Shore Wellness is located in British Columbia, Canada, and operates in compliance with British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and federal privacy standards under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using any of our Services, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Consent & Healthcare Privacy

By requesting or receiving clinical services from Shore Wellness, scheduling appointments, or completing intake forms, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal and health information for the purpose of delivering healthcare, managing clinical records, and processing billing.

You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. Please note that withdrawing consent may affect our ability to continue providing healthcare services to you.

2. What Information We Collect

We collect personal and health information to provide safe, effective, and personalized healthcare services. The types of information we collect include:

• Basic Contact Details: Your full name, telephone number, mailing address, email address, and emergency contact details.

• Clinical & Health Information: Medical history, current symptoms, treatment notes, intake questionnaire responses, medication/supplement lists, lifestyle details, and relevant health records necessary for providing Acupuncture and Holistic Nutrition care.

• Appointment & Booking Data: Scheduled appointments, attendance records, appointment preferences, and communication history.

• Billing & Financial Data: Payment confirmation details, insurance provider information, direct billing details (e.g., TELUS eClaims, Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life), and billing records.

• Website Usage & Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and interactions with our website via essential cookies.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect information directly from you and through secure third-party platforms that power our clinic operations:

• Directly From You: When you complete intake forms, communicate via email, book appointments, or speak with our practitioners during consultations.

• Jane App (Practice Management): Online booking, intake forms, electronic charting, and scheduling are processed securely through Jane App, a Canadian health-compliant electronic medical record (EMR) system.

• Squarespace (Website & Hosting): Information provided through website contact forms or site interactions is processed via Squarespace infrastructure.

• Payment Processors: Payments processed online or in-clinic (e.g., via Square terminal hardware or integrated portals) securely process payment details to fulfill transactions.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal and health information for the following purposes:

• Delivering Clinical Care: Providing Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Virtual Holistic Nutrition consultations, developing treatment plans, and maintaining accurate electronic medical charts.

• Practice Administration: Managing appointments, sending appointment reminders via email/SMS, responding to inquiries, and maintaining clinic records.

• Billing & Insurance Processing: Processing payments and submitting claims directly to extended health insurers or third-party payers at your request.

• Regulatory Compliance & Legal Obligations: Fulfilling legal, accounting, and professional regulatory standards mandated by healthcare regulatory bodies in British Columbia.

• Communication: Sending important updates regarding clinic policies, appointment confirmations, or direct customer support.

5. Disclosure of Personal & Health Information

We respect your privacy and do not sell or rent your personal information. We only disclose your information under the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers & Technology Partners: To trusted service providers who assist in operating our clinic (e.g., Jane App for practice management, Squarespace for website infrastructure, payment gateways), bound by strict legal and confidentiality obligations.

• Direct Insurance Billing: To insurance carriers and billing clearinghouses when you request direct billing for extended health coverage.

• Legal & Regulatory Requirements: When required or authorized by law, such as complying with a court order, subpoena, or professional regulatory audit.

• Safety & Emergency: When necessary to protect the life, health, or safety of yourself or others in emergency situations.

6. Security & Retention

We take reasonable technical, physical, and administrative safeguards to protect your personal and clinical health information against unauthorized access, loss, theft, modification, or disclosure. Clinical notes and records are encrypted and stored within Canadian-compliant electronic health record systems (Jane App).

We retain personal and health information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by British Columbia healthcare record retention laws and regulatory standards.

7. Your Rights & Access

Under BC PIPA and PIPEDA, you have the right to:

• Access Your Records: Request access to the personal health information and clinical records we hold about you.

• Request Corrections: Request corrections or updates to any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

• Inquire About Privacy Practices: Ask questions regarding how your information is handled or request details about our third-party service providers.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our designated Privacy Officer at hello@shorewellness.co.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external websites or resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies when visiting them.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our clinical practices, technology, or legal requirements. Updated policies will be posted on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date.

10. Contact Us & Privacy Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal health information, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Shore Wellness
Email: hello@shorewellness.co
Location: Logan Lake, British Columbia, Canada

If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you may contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC).