Updated: May 2026
Privacy Notice – How We Handle Your Personal Information
Our practice collects and uses your personal information to provide you with healthcare services. This notice explains how we do that in accordance with Information Privacy Principle 3A (IPP3A) under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.
What is IPP3A?
IPP3A requires health agencies to collect health information directly from the individual it relates to, wherever possible. It also requires us to tell you certain things at the time we collect your information — such as why we need it, how it will be used, and who it may be shared with. You can read more about IPP3A at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
What Information We Collect
We collect your name, contact details, date of birth, health history, and other information needed to provide your care. Where possible, we collect this information directly from you.
How We Use Your Information
Your information is used to:
- Provide and manage your healthcare
- Communicate with other health providers involved in your care (such as specialists or hospitals)
- Meet our legal and reporting obligations
Who We Share Your Information With
We may share your information with:
- Other treating health professionals involved in your care
- Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) and other government health agencies where required by law
- Our contracted service providers who help us run the practice
Keeping Your Information Safe
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access.
Your Rights
Under IPP3A and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020, you have the right to:
- Be told why your information is being collected and how it will be used
- Access the health information we hold about you
- Ask us to correct your information if it is wrong
- Know who your information may be shared with
For more information, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Date: 02/02/2026
Adult ADHD Assessments and 12-Month Prescriptions
Adult ADHD Assessments
- Recent Government statements indicate that GPs may soon be able to assess and diagnose ADHD in adults, with the aim of improving access and reducing barriers to care.
- While we support initiatives that promote equity and improved availability of services, there is currently limited guidance on how this will be implemented in real-world general practice.
- A comprehensive adult ADHD assessment is complex and time-intensive, typically requiring 1–2 hours, a structured clinical process, and additional specialist training.
- At this stage, Silverdale Medical is not able to offer adult ADHD assessments:
- Providing assessments without adequate preparation and training would be clinically unsafe.
- We are actively exploring how adult ADHD assessments could be offered in the future in a way that is:
- Clinically safe
- Sustainable for our team
- Appropriate for our patient population
- This is substantial work and will take time to develop properly.
- We will provide updates if and when our approach changes.
12-Month Prescriptions
From 1 February 2026, some long-term medicines may be prescribed for up to 12 months.
This change is intended to reduce unnecessary repeat appointments and support easier management of stable, long-term conditions.
Please note:
- 12-month prescriptions can only be issued during a face-to-face appointment and require annual reviews.
- A 12-month prescription is not automatic or guaranteed. Please book an appointment with your GP to discuss whether a longer prescription is safe and appropriate for you.
Additional important information:
- Longer prescriptions are not suitable for everyone. Patients taking multiple medications, controlled drugs, or medicines that require regular monitoring (such as blood pressure treatments) may be prescribed a shorter duration, usually up to 6 months.
- Any prescription longer than 3 months requires a medication review appointment. This allows your clinician to review your treatment, arrange any necessary tests, and issue the prescription if appropriate.
- To help manage appointment availability, please wait until your medication review is due before booking.
- If you are currently requesting a repeat prescription, continue as usual and book your medication review three months later.
- Controlled medicines, including opioid medications, can only be prescribed for a maximum of 1-3 months only.
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