Privacy notice (POPIA)

Last updated: 2026

Manchester Medical Centre ("we", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal and health information. This notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and your rights under POPIA. It applies to the three practices operating at our centre — New Sight Optometry, The Smile Clinic Dentistry and Ms N Paruk (physiotherapy).

Information we collect

• Identifying details — name, ID or passport number, date of birth, address and contact numbers.
• Medical-aid details — scheme, plan and membership number.
• Next-of-kin or emergency contact details.
• Health information relevant to your care — your history, examination findings, diagnoses, treatment and clinical records.
• Payment and billing information.

Why we collect it

• To provide you with optometric, dental and physiotherapy care.
• To keep accurate clinical records, as required of registered healthcare providers.
• To submit claims to your medical aid and to process payments.
• To contact you about appointments, results and follow-up care.
• To comply with our legal, ethical and regulatory obligations (including HPCSA requirements).

How we protect your information

We keep your information secure using appropriate physical, technical and organisational measures, and we limit access to staff and practitioners who need it to provide your care. Our team is bound by patient confidentiality.

When we share your information

We only share your information where necessary and lawful — for example with your medical aid to process claims, with other healthcare providers involved in your care (with your consent), with laboratories or specialists for referrals, or where we are required to do so by law. We do not sell your personal information.

How long we keep it

We retain clinical records for the periods required by law and professional guidelines. After that, records are securely destroyed or de-identified.

Your rights

• To ask what personal information we hold about you and to request access to it.
• To ask us to correct or update inaccurate information.
• To object to certain processing, or to withdraw consent, where applicable.
• To lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

Contact our Information Officer

For any privacy question or request, please contact our Information Officer:

• Our Information Officer
• Manchester Medical Centre, Manchester Mall, 14 Manchester Road, Rosedale, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
• Phone:
• Email:

You may also contact the Information Regulator (South Africa) at inforegulator.org.za.

Changes to this notice

We may update this notice from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.