Privacy Statement for Sligo Speech Therapy

When you use Sligo Speech Therapy you trust us with your information. This privacy policy is meant to help you understand what data we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it. We have tried to make it as simple as possible but if you have any questions please contact us.

Faye Godsell, assumes the function of data controller and supervises the compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) within the business.

  1. Information we collect

  2. Where we get our information

  3. How we use the information we collect

  4. Information we share

  5. How and when consent is obtained

  6. How we protect your data

  7. Protecting your rights to data

  8. Security of your personal data

1         Information we collect

Sligo Speech Therapy holds personal data as part of conducting a professional service. The data follows under the following headings: healthcare records, educational records, clinical records, general administrative records, and financial records.

1.1        Healthcare records

A healthcare record refers to all information collected, processed and held both in manual and electronic formats pertaining to the service user and their care.  Speech and language problems can be complex, and a wide range of information may be collected in order to best meet the needs of the client, and to maintain a high quality service which meets best practice requirements. In order to provide a high quality service, a range of information may be collected.

Examples of data collected and held on all current and active clients include the following:

  • Name

  • Date of birth

  • Parent/guardian details, including contact number and e-mail address

  • Description of family

  • Educational placements.

  • Pre- and post-natal history: This can include information relating to mother’s pregnancy, and child’s birth.

  • Developmental data: developmental milestones, feeding history, audiology history.

  • Medical details: such as any relevant illnesses, medications, and relevant family history. Reports from other relevant allied health professionals such as: Audiology, Psychology, CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services), Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmology.

1.2        Educational records

Relevant Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), progress notes from educational staff and school reports may be held.

1.3        Clinical records

Specific data in relation to communication skills may be collected and held, such as assessment forms, reports, case notes, e-mails, text messages and transcripts of phone. Audio and video files may also be collected and stored.

1.4        General administrative records

Sligo Speech Therapy may hold information regarding attendance reports and accident report forms.

1.5        Financial records

A financial record pertains to all financial information concerning the practice, e.g. invoices, receipts, information for Revenue. Sligo Speech Therapy may hold data in relation to: on-line purchasing history, card payments, receipts and invoices. Information will include name of bill payer, client name, address and record of invoices and payments made.

Sligo Speech Therapy does not record and keep Credit card information. Any data given is processed directly via the card payment processor’s own secure portal.

2         Where we get our information

Personal data will be provided by the client, or in the case of a child (under 16 years), their parent(s)/guardian(s). This information will be collected as part of a case history form prior to, or on the date of first contact.

Information may also be provided directly from relevant third parties such as schools, medical professionals and allied health professionals, with prior consent from the parent(s)/guardian(s).

3         How we use the information that we collect

We use the information we collect to provide assessment and therapy as per the relevant professional guidelines, as well as to maintain the general running of the business, such as running our electronic booking system, keeping our accounts and updating you of any changes in policies or fees.

Information may also be used for research purposes, with the written consent of the client or parent/guardian.

3.1        Data retention periods

The retention periods are the suggested time periods for which the records should be held based on the organisation’s needs, legal and/or fiscal precedence or historical purposes. Following the retention deadline, all data will be destroyed under confidential means.

3.2       Client Records

Sligo Speech Therapy keeps both physical and electronic records of clinical data in order to provide a service.

  • The preferred format for clinical data is

  • Clinical data is deleted/confidentially destroyed after 5 years from last invoiced session. (Usually post discharge).

  • Clinical data used for research purposes, may be kept for longer than 5 years.

  • Video records/ voice recordings relating to client care/videoconferencing records may be recorded with consent, analysed and then destroyed. If written consent is provided to use recordings for training purposes, the client will have the option to withdraw consent at any time.

3.2.2         Financial Records

Sligo Speech Therapy keeps electronic/paper records of financial data from those who use our services.

Section 886 of the Direct Tax Acts states that the Revenue Commissioners require records to be retained for a minimum period of six years after the completion of the transactions, acts or operations to which they relate. These requirements apply to manual and electronic records equally.

  • Financial Data is kept for 6 years to adhere to Revenue guidelines.

  • Financial Data (including non-payment of bills) can be given to Revenue at Revenue’s request. 

3.2.3         Contact Data

Contact Data is kept for 6 years to allow processing of Financial Data if required.  (This may be retained for longer for safety, legal request, or child protection reasons.)

3.3        Exceptions

If under investigation or if litigation is likely, files must be held in original form indefinitely, otherwise files are held for the minimum periods set out above.

4         Information we share

We do not share personal information with companies, organisations and individuals outside Sligo Speech Therapy unless one of the following circumstances apply:

4.1        With your consent:

We will only share your Personal Identifying Information (PII) to third parties when we have express written permission by letter or email to do so. I require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive information.

Third parties may include: hospitals, GPs, other allied health professionals, educational facilities.

4.2        For legal reasons:

We will share personal information with companies or organisations outside of Sligo Speech Therapy if disclosure of the information is reasonably necessary to:

  • Meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.

  • Meet the requirements of the Children First Act 2015.

  • To protect against harm to the rights, property or safely of Sligo Speech Therapy, our service users or the public as required or permitted by law.

4.3       To meet financial requirements:

Sligo Speech Therapy also is required to share financial data with Noel Walsh, Chartered Accountant, in order to comply with local tax laws. Currently no identifiable information is given. Sligo Speech Therapy will obtain a copy of the Noel Walsh’s own Data protection policy should I be required to provide copies of invoices or receipt books.

4.4        For processing by third parties/external processing

The following third parties are engaged for processing data:

Who: Noel Walsh

Type of data: Financial

Purpose Processing financial accounts

Who: Stripe

Type of data: Financial

Purpose: On-line payment system

Who: SumUp

Type of data: Financial, Client contact details, Basic client information,

Purpose: Electronic Payments

Who: Appointedd (UK based)

Type of data: Case notes & Scheduling information

Purpose: Case note records

5         How and when we obtain consent

Prior to initial assessment or consultation, a copy of the data protection policy will be provided to clients along with a client contract. A consent form will need to be signed by the client prior to commencing the service. Copies of the signed consent forms will be given to both parties.

A consent form may also be attached to any digital bookings via our on-line booking system. Users will be directed to read the privacy statement and tick to agree to the terms. Service cannot be initiated without ticked consent to our set privacy policy.

Should a client wish to withdraw their consent for data to be processed, they can do so by contacting Sligo Speech Therapy through: Sligospeechtherapy@gmail.com

6         How we protect your data

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we will endeavour to protect your personal data in a number of ways:

6.1        By limiting the data that we collect in the first instance

All data collected by us will be collected solely for the purposes set out at 1 above and will be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes.  The data will not be processed any further in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes save in the special circumstances referred to in section 5.1. Furthermore, all data collected by us will be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is collected which include, the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of speech, language and communication disorders.

6.2        By transmitting the data in certain specified circumstances only

Data will only be shared and transmitted, be it on paper, electronically or via phone, only as is required, and as set out in section 3.

6.3        By keeping only the data that is required

When it is required and by limiting its accessibility to any other third parties.

6.4        By disposing of/destroying the data once the individual has ceased receiving treatment

Within 5 years of the completion of this treatment apart from the special categories of personal data as set out at 1.1 above.  Where data is required to be held by us for longer than the period 5 years, we will put in place appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk. These may include measures such as the encryption of electronic devices, pseudonymisation of personal data, and/or safe and secure storage facilities for paper/electronic records.

6.5        By retaining the data for only as long as is required

Which in this case is 5 years except for circumstances in which retention of data is required in circumstances set out at part 1.1 above or in certain specific circumstances as set out at Article 23(1) of the GDPR.

6.6        By destroying the data securely and confidentially after the period of retention has elapsed.

This could include the use of confidential shredding facilities or, if requested by the individual, the return of personal records to the individual.

6.7        By ensuring that any personal data collected and retained is both accurate and up-to-date.

All case notes will be dated and signed. Where edits are made, these will also be dated and signed. You can request your therapist to update the information directly themselves, or submit a request to amend to sligospeechtherapy@gmail.com.

7         Protecting your Rights to Data

7.1       Adult clients

Adults have the right to request data held on them as per article 15 of GDPR. A request must be made in writing. Further information regarding accessing your personal data are available in the document ‘Rights of Individuals under the General Data Protection Regulation’, downloadable from: www.gdprandyou.ie

7.2       Children

For children under the age of 16, data access requests are made by their guardians. When a child turns 16, then they may make a request for their personal data. However, this is subject to adherence with the Children First Act.

8         Security

Sligo Speech Therapy, as with most providers of healthcare services is aware of the need for privacy. As such, we aim to practice privacy by design as a default approach, and only obtain and retain the information needed to provide you with the best possible service.

All persons working in, and with Sligo Speech Therapy in a professional capacity are briefed on the proper management, storage and safekeeping of data.

All data used by Sligo Speech Therapy, including personal data may be retained in any of the following formats:

  1. Electronic Data

  2. Physical Files

The type of format for storing the data is decided based on the format the data exists in.

Where applicable, Sligo Speech Therapy may convert physical files to electronic records to allow us to provide a better service to clients.

8.1       Data Security

Sligo Speech Therapy understands that the personal data used in order to provide a service belongs to the individuals involved. The following outlines the steps which Sligo Speech Therapy use to ensure that the data is kept safe.

8.1.1         Electronic Data

All electronic data is contained in the following systems:

Appointedd:

  • This Client management system is physically located in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

  • Appointedd use a strong SSL encryption protocol (TLS v1.2), a strong key exchange (ECDHE_RSA with P-256), and a strong cipher (AES_128_GCM) to encrypt communication of customer data over HTTPS between the clients, servers and the database.

  • This system provider is aware of their requirements for GDPR compliance.

  • All persons working in Sligo Speech Therapy have the ability to read, write and delete these records.

  • All persons require a Log on and Password in order to access the records.

  • A copy of the files are not made on the users’ computer when in use.

  • The data controller in Sligo Speech Therapy can change users passwords.

Gmail and Google Drive

Sligo Speech therapy uses Gmail to send and receive e-mails. It also uses Google Drive to back up client reports and electronic correspondence.

Google is aware of their requirements for GPDR compliance and their policy is available on-line.

Laptop

Letters, reports and home programmes are saved as PDF files on Sligo Speech Therapy’s laptop. This laptop is password protected and is kept in locked filing cabinets when not in use. It has an automatic  log off set during working hours.

Physical Files

All physical data is located in, Sligo Speech Therapy’s clinic room, Unit one, First Floor, Millennium House, Stephen Street, Sligo

Only Faye Godsell has access to these records.

These records are kept in a filing cabinet secured with a lock and key.

8.2       Security Policy

8.2.1         Sligo Speech Therapy understands that requirements for electronic and physical storage may change with time and the state of the art. As such, the data controller in Sligo Speech Therapy reviews the electronic and physical storage options available to Sligo Speech Therapy every year.

8.2.2         All persons working in Sligo Speech Therapy are aware and briefed on and refresh the requirements for good data hygiene every year. This briefing compliance is monitored by the Sligo Speech Therapy data controller and includes, but is not limited to:

  • Awareness of client conversations in unsecure locations.

  • Enabling auto-lock on devices when leaving them unattended, even within Sligo Speech Therapy locations.

  • Use of non-identifiable note taking options. (Initials, not names).

  • The awareness of Sligo Speech Therapy procedure should a possible data breach occur, either through malicious (theft) or accident (loss) of devices or physical files.

Date of document: 6/08/2019

Review Date: 06/08/2020

Sligo Speech Therapy

CORU number: SL019495