Privacy Policy
(Why I collect your personal data and what I do with it)
When you supply your personal details to this clinic they are stored and processed for 4 reasons (the bits in bold are the relevant terms used in the General Data Protection Regulations – ie the law):
- I need to collect personal information about your health in order to provide you with the best possible treatment, your requesting treatment and our agreement to provide that care constitutes a contract. You can, of course, refuse to provide the information, but if you were to do that we would not be able to provide treatment.
- I have a “Legitimate Interest” in collecting that information, because without it we couldn’t do our job effectively and safely.
- I also think that it is important that we can contact you in order to confirm your appointments with me or to update you on matters related to your medical care. This again constitutes “Legitimate Interest”, but this time it is your legitimate interest. I will also ask for your consent to do this.
- Provided we have your consent, we may occasionally send you general health information in the form of articles, advice or newsletters. You may withdraw this consent at any time – just let us know by any convenient method.
I have a legal obligation to retain your records for 8 years after your most recent appointment (or age 25, if this is longer), but after this period you can ask me to delete your records if you wish. Otherwise, I will retain your records indefinitely in order that I can provide you with the best possible care should you need to see me at some future date.
Your records are stored electronically (“in the cloud”), using a specialist medical records service. This provider has given us their assurances that they are fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations. Access to this data is password protected, and the passwords are changed regularly.
Some older records are stored in a locked filing cabinet which is accessible only by myself and by our Podiatrists who share the cabinet.
We will never share your data with anyone who does not need access without your written consent. Only the following people/agencies will have routine access to your data:
The medical records service (WriteUpp) who store and process our files
Your practitioner(s) in order that they can provide you with treatment
Our reception staff, because they organise our practitioners’ diaries, and coordinate appointments and reminders (but they do not have access to your medical history or sensitive personal information)
We also use Mailchimp and Rehab My Patient to coordinate our messages, so your name and email address may be saved on their server.
You have the right to see what personal data of yours we hold, and you can also ask us to correct any factual errors. Provided the legal minimum period has elapsed, you can also ask us to erase your records.
Of course, if you feel that we are mishandling your personal data in some way, you have the right to complain. You should do that to what is referred to in the jargon as the “Data Controller”. Here are the details you need for that:
Sarah Oliver
sarah@saraholiverosteopathy.com
020 8520 5268
181 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 3AP