Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Patient confidentiality is very important to me. This policy sets out how I store and use patient information.

Scope of the policy

This policy applies to the work of homeopath Charlie Ellis-James (hereafter referred to as ‘CEJ’). The policy sets out the requirements that CEJ has in order to gather personal information for professional purposes. The policy details how personal information will be gathered, stored and managed in line with data protection principles and the General Data Protection Regulation. The policy is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the CEJ is compliant.

Why this policy exists

This data protection policy ensures that CEJ:

• complies with data protection law and follows good practice
• protects the rights of patients
• is open about how she stores and processes patients’ data
• protects herself from the risks of a data breach.

Lawful, fair and transparent data processing

CEJ requests personal information from patients and potential patients for the purpose of consulting with them and providing them with advice and guidance on homeopathic treatments. Patients will be asked to provide consent for their data to be held and a record of this consent along with patient information will be securely held. Under data protection legislation, patients have the right to inspect the personal information held about them. They can make a request to do so by contacting CEJ and she will endeavour to respond within 14 working days.

Processed for Specified, Explicit and Legitimate Purposes

Patients will be informed how their information will be used and CEJ will seek to ensure that patients’ information is not used inappropriately.

Appropriate use of information provided by patients includes:

• Communicating with patients in order to make, change or cancel consultations
• Assessing the conditions and issues reported by patients and devising and prescribing relevant remedies and therapies.

Adequate, Relevant and Limited Data Processing

CEJ’s patients will only be asked to provide information that is relevant to support consultations and prescriptions.

This includes:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Postal address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Medical history.

All of this information collected is obtained directly from you.  This is usually at the point of medical history intake forms, introductory calls or consultations.

To this, over time, I will add details of the conditions for which you have consulted me and the remedies and other therapies that I have prescribed or recommended.

Where additional information may be required, this will be obtained with the specific consent of the patient who will be informed as to why this information is required and the purpose for which it will be used.

I need to keep your information for as long as you continue to consult me. I will keep your information for a minimum of seven years after your last consultation. For children, I will keep the health records for a period of seven years after their 18th birthday, as is required by our Licence to practice. At that point, your file will be securely destroyed and any digital information will be erased from my computer systems.

I will not share your information with anyone, unless the law requires me to submit information for the protection of life.

Communication

I will communicate with you by email, other digital methods, by telephone and by post.

Secure Processing

CEJ has a responsibility to ensure that data is both securely held and processed.

This includes:

• using strong passwords for information held within computer systems
• restricting access to computer and paper-based files
• using password protection on laptops and PCs that contain or access personal information
• using password protection or secure cloud systems
• providing adequate virus-protection to secure computer-based systems.

Contact information

If you have any queries about this policy or need it in an alternative format, please contact me:

Charlie Ellis James (LCPH, MARH)
Lifecare Health Clinic
Unit 6
Manor Road
Frome
BA11 4BN
charlie@fromehomeopath.co.uk
0044 7494 412402