Your Privacy
I value your privacy and the information that you share with me before and during our treatments together.
This notice is to explain why I collect your personal data, and what I do with it, and to ensure I am working in accordance with the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); terms from the regulation are indicated in bold.
When you supply your personal details to me, when we communicate by text or email, and when I take notes in the clinic, this information is stored and processed for four reasons in line with the GDPR requirements:
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 in law an (unwritten) contract.
I have a legitimate interest in collecting that information, because without it I cannot practice acupuncture effectively and safely.
I keep records of your contact information, because I think it is important I can contact you, to communicate about our appointments. This again constitutes a legitimate interest, but this time it is your legitimate interest.
Provided I have your consent (and this only needs to be verbal consent), I may occasionally send you individualised health information. You may withdraw this consent at any time.
As a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) I have a professional requirement to retain your records for 8 years after your most recent appointment (or after you have reached 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 so that I can provide you with the best possible care should you wish to see me at some future date.
Your clinical records are stored on a password protected laptop which is used for clinical purposes only.
I am the only person who has access to your records, receipt files and emails. I would only share information with a GP or medical professional with your knowledge and consent.
You have the right to see what personal data of yours I hold, and you can also ask me to correct any factual errors. I am legally required to respond to any request from a client to see their personal data within a timescale of 30 days.
Sara Lacey 2023
SJL Acupuncture