Privacy policy

PRIVACY NOTICE

PATIENTS

 

What is a Privacy Notice?

A Privacy Notice (or ‘Fair Processing Notice’) explains how Emerald Urgent Care collects, stores, and processes patient data. Providing transparent information about how we use your personal data is a core requirement of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

 

Legal and Governance Framework (Northern Ireland)

Emerald Urgent Care processes personal information lawfully and fairly in accordance with:

  • UK GDPR
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
  • Good Management, Good Records (DoH NI)
  • Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) Standards

 

Why We Collect Patient Data

We collect and use personal data:

  • To provide safe, effective clinical care
  • To support medical diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up
  • To meet legal obligations (e.g. safeguarding, infection reporting)
  • For quality assurance and audit purposes

 

Types of Data We May Collect

  • Demographic information (name, DOB, address)
  • Contact details
  • Health history and clinical findings
  • Referrals, treatment plans, test results
  • Emergency contact details
  • Correspondence from and to other healthcare providers

 

How Data Is Collected

  • From patient registration forms and consultations
  • Through written, telephone, or online communication
  • From test results, referrals, or shared care pathways
  • Via EMR (Electronic Medical Records)

 

How We Use Your Data

  • To provide and coordinate care
  • To share essential information with other professionals involved in your treatment (only when necessary and proportionate)
  • For appointment reminders, follow-up, and recalls
  • For anonymised reporting and service monitoring

 

Data Sharing

We may share data with:

  • NHS and Health and Social Care (HSC) providers in NI
  • Laboratories, imaging services, and specialists
  • Social care and safeguarding agencies
  • Emergency services where legally required or justified
  • IT providers (under strict confidentiality agreements)

We do not share your data for marketing purposes.

 

Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Be informed about how your data is used
  • Access your data (Subject Access Request)
  • Request correction of incorrect data
  • Request deletion in certain circumstances
  • Object to certain uses of your data
  • Restrict processing in specific situations

To exercise any of your rights, contact Mr Jonathan Davies.

 

Data Security & Confidentiality

  • Your data is stored securely in compliance with UK GDPR
  • Only authorised staff can access your information
  • All staff are trained in confidentiality and data protection
  • We retain records in accordance with our Records Retention Policy and the Department of Health (NI) Good Management, Good Records framework

 

Cookies and Website Privacy

If our website uses cookies, this will be clearly explained with an option to accept or decline. We do not collect identifiable information through cookies without consent.

 

Opting Out of Data Sharing

You may request that we limit sharing of your information for non-essential care or research. Please contact us if you wish to opt out.

 

Data Controller Details

Data Controller: Mr Jonathan Davies, Emerald Urgent Care,

ICO Registration Number: ZC026099

Contact: info@emeraldurgentcare.co.uk | 02892 441144

 

Accessing Your Data

To make a Subject Access Request, please write to Mr Jonathan Davies. We aim to respond within one calendar month.