Privacy Policy

Scope

Who this policy covers

This Privacy Policy applies to shivaurogastro.com and the contact routes presented through the website for SHIVA Uro-Gastro, Dr B. Varun and Dr Darga Shanti Laxmi. It describes our current website and enquiry-handling practices.

Information collected during an in-person consultation, investigation, procedure or hospital visit may also be governed by the relevant clinic or hospital’s clinical-record and privacy practices. This website policy is a transparency notice; it is not medical or legal advice and does not replace consent required for clinical care.

What we receive

Information we may receive

Information you choose to provide. When you contact us by phone, WhatsApp or email, we may receive your name, contact details, preferred appointment timing, the reason for your enquiry and any medical context you voluntarily share.

Technical information. Our hosting, security and network services may automatically process limited data such as IP address, browser or device type, requested pages, timestamps, referral information and security events. This helps deliver, protect and troubleshoot the website.

Information from external services. If you use Google Maps, YouTube, social media, WhatsApp or another linked service, that provider may process information under its own privacy policy.

Purpose

How we use information

Depending on the context, we may use information to:

• respond to an enquiry and route it to the appropriate clinic team member;
• share requested appointment availability, directions or preparation information;
• provide a follow-up that you requested;
• operate, secure, maintain and improve the website;
• prevent misuse, investigate technical issues and keep reasonable administrative records; and
• meet applicable professional, regulatory or legal obligations.

We do not use website messages to make an automated diagnosis or treatment decision. We do not intentionally sell personal information, and we do not use sensitive health information to build advertising audiences.

Sensitive information

Medical and health information

Health information can be sensitive. Please share only the minimum details needed for the clinic to understand and route your enquiry. If reports, images or records are required, ask the clinic which communication method is suitable before sending them.

Sending a website or social-media message does not by itself create a doctor–patient relationship. Clinical advice is provided only after an appropriate professional assessment.

Website technology

Cookies, logs and external services

The website and its infrastructure may use essential cookies, server logs and security technologies needed to display pages, remember basic preferences, maintain performance and protect against abuse.

The footer includes a Google Maps view. When it loads, Google may receive technical data such as your IP address, device/browser information and interaction data. Links to WhatsApp, YouTube, social media and our digital partner open external services whose own terms and privacy policies apply.

At the date shown above, we have not activated clinic-controlled marketing analytics, advertising tags or remarketing on this website. Before adding non-essential tracking, we will review whether this policy, user choices and any consent mechanism need to be updated.

Limited disclosure

When information may be shared

We may share information only as reasonably needed with:

• authorized doctors, clinic staff or hospital teams involved in responding to your request or providing care;
• hosting, security, communication and technology providers supporting the website or contact route;
• professional advisers, insurers, regulators or public authorities where appropriate; or
• another party where required by law, needed to protect rights or safety, or based on your direction or valid consent.

We aim to limit information to what is relevant for the stated purpose. External providers may process data in locations governed by their own operating and legal arrangements.

Data lifecycle

Retention and security

We keep enquiry and website information only for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose for which it was received, routine administration, continuity of communication, dispute handling, or applicable professional and legal requirements. Clinical records may have separate mandatory retention periods.

We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards appropriate to the website and communication channels. However, no internet transmission, email, messaging service or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. You should use care when choosing what to send electronically.

Control and enquiries

Your choices and privacy requests

Subject to applicable law and the context of your request, you may ask us to confirm whether we hold relevant information, request access or correction, ask for deletion where appropriate, withdraw a consent, or raise a concern about our handling of your information.

We may need to verify identity and understand the request before acting. Some information cannot be deleted immediately where retention is required for clinical, professional, safety, fraud-prevention or legal reasons.

Privacy requirements in India are being implemented in stages. We apply requirements that are in force and will update our practices and this notice as additional obligations take effect.

Young people

Children’s information

This website is intended for general clinic information and is not designed to collect information directly from children. A parent, lawful guardian or appropriately authorized adult should contact the clinic on behalf of a child and should share only the information reasonably needed for the enquiry or care.

Policy changes

Updates to this policy

We may revise this policy when our website, clinic communication practices, providers or applicable requirements change. The latest version will be published on this page with a revised update date. Material changes may also be highlighted through an appropriate website notice.