PRIVACY STATEMENT
Ardee Family Practice
Tierney Street, Ardee
Tel: 041 685 3205
Data Controllers: Dr Joanna McGuigan, Dr Roisin Gavin
Data Protection Leads: Dr Joanna McGuigan, Dr Roisin Gavin
Practice Privacy Statement
Ardee Family Practice is committed to providing the highest standard of medical care while respecting and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients. We recognise that general practice operates within a trusted relationship and we process personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Doctors.
The provision of medical care requires the collection and processing of personal data, including health information. Without this, we would be unable to provide safe and effective care.
Legal Basis for Processing Your Data
We process personal data for the purposes of:
- Providing medical care and treatment
- Protecting the vital interests of patients
- Managing public health requirements
This practice follows the ICGP Data Protection Guidance for General Practice.
In most cases, we retain patient records for 8 years after death or 8 years after last contact with the practice, unless a longer retention period is required.
Managing Your Information
To provide your care, we collect and maintain personal and medical information about you.
We ensure that:
- Your information is stored securely
- Only necessary information is collected and retained
- Records are kept accurate and up to date where possible
- Staff are bound by strict confidentiality agreements
We ask patients to:
- Inform us of any relevant changes (e.g. address, phone number, medical updates)
Access to patient records is restricted to authorised staff and only where necessary for the effective running of the practice.
Practice staff may access records for purposes including:
- Managing prescriptions and certificates
- Preparing referrals and correspondence
- Processing laboratory and hospital results
- Supporting ongoing patient care and administrative functions
Call Recording
Telephone calls to and from the practice may be recorded for the purposes of:
- Staff training
- Quality assurance
- Patient safety
Call recordings are processed under the lawful basis of legitimate interests and, where applicable, may include special category (health) data.
Recordings are stored securely, with access restricted to authorised personnel only, and are retained for a limited period in line with our data retention policy.
Call recording is paused during the processing of payment details to ensure the security of financial information.
Disclosure of Information to Other Health and Social Care Professionals
We may share relevant information with other healthcare professionals involved in your care. Only the minimum necessary information is shared, and all recipients are bound by confidentiality obligations.
Disclosures Required or Permitted by Law
In certain circumstances, we may be required to disclose personal data in accordance with legal obligations, such as in the case of notifiable infectious diseases.
Disclosure to Employers, Insurance Companies and Solicitors
- Medical certificates generally confirm fitness for work only
- Additional information will only be provided with your knowledge
- Medical records are only released to third parties (e.g. insurers, solicitors) with your written consent
Your Rights
Under data protection law, you have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Request restriction or erasure of data where appropriate
- Request a copy of your information, including call recordings where applicable
Requests should be made in writing to the Practice Manager.
Contact
If you have any queries regarding your data or this privacy statement, please contact the Practice Manager at Ardee Family Practice.