1 - Account deletion and data deletion on MyMediclinic

You have the option to delete your account using the steps provided below. Upon deletion, your account data may either be removed entirely or retained for regulatory reasons, as outlined further below along with their respective retention periods.

2 - How to delete your account on our mobile MyMediclinic app:

  1. Log in to the mobile application using the account you want to delete
  2. Navigate to the settings page by clicking the “Me”page from the bottom tab of the application
  3. Scroll down in the ”Me” tab until you find the "Delete account" button
  4. You will be taken to a seperate page where you can request the deletion of your account
  5. Add your first and last name in the input field to confirm that you want to delete your account
  6. Press "Delete account"
  7. You will be logged out and your account and data will be deleted within 48 hours

3 - What data is retained after account deletion?

3.1  Patient health records should ideally be stored indefinitely particularly if this can be done using an electronic format. If this is not practical, a patient health record should be stored for at least a minimum of six (6) years as from the date that a patient health record has become dormant (dormancy commences at the time when a patient was last treated by a healthcare practitioner).

Exceptions to 3.1

3.1.1 For patients who were under the age of 18 years, when they were cared for (including obstetric care), the patient health records should be kept at least until the patient’s 21st birthday, as legally, minors have up to three years after reaching the age of 18 years to make a claim against a health practitioner or health care establishment.

3.1.2 For mentally incapacitated patients, the patient health records should be kept for the duration of the patient’s lifetime.

3.1.3 In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No. 85 of 1993) patient health records falling under this act must be kept for 20 years after treatment.

3.1.4 Several other factors require that patient health records are kept for longer periods. For instance, certain health conditions that take a long period to manifest, (e.g. asbestosis). Patient health records of patients who may have been exposed to the risk of developing such conditions, should be kept for a sufficient period to allow such patients equitable access to the care they may require at a later stage. The recommendation is that this period should not be less than 25 years.

3.1.5 When statutory obligations prescribe the period for which patient health records should be kept, a practitioner must comply with these obligations.

3.2 The patient health records kept in a state hospital or clinic shall only be destroyed if such destruction is authorised by the Deputy Director-General concerned.

3.3 In principle, a balance must be reached between the costs of long-term retention of records and the risk to a practitioners’ defence in a matter of litigation or complaint. The value of the record for academic and research purposes, and the risks of late complications occurring, are additional considerations.

For further information, please contact: Mediclinic Service Desk 0860 122 123 or servicedesk@mediclinic.co.za.