Privacy Policy
Privacy of personal information is important to Integrated Veterinary Services. We are committed to collecting, using and disclosing personal information responsibly. We also try to be open and transparent as to how we handle information.
As a company we must abide by the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (and prior to this the Data Protection Act 1998). We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office as a data controller.
What information we hold about you
When you register your pet with us we collect the following information from you:
- Your name (and your partner’s name, if applicable) and address.
- Your contact (and your partner’s, if applicable) telephone numbers.
- Your e-mail address (and your partner’s, if applicable), if you choose to give it to us.
- Your pets name and details
- Any previous history your pet might have and referring vet details
We store this information securely on our computer-based Practice Management Software. This system can be accessed by our staff, and by our I.T. provider.
Some of your information will also be printed on paper forms e.g. consent forms. These are copied onto the practice management system and shredded when no longer required.
What we do with your data
We will use your data:
- For our own record keeping and accounting purposes.
- To contact you with personal messages regarding your pet e.g. to change an appointment.
When you register, you will be given the option to ‘opt-in’ for communications as per consent form and you can amend your communication preferences at any time by informing us.
We will pass on your pet’s medical history, which includes your contact details, if requested by another veterinary surgeon if you change veterinary practice or register elsewhere for a second opinion. We will try to contact you to check that you are happy for this to happen.
If we become aware that you no longer use our services we can ‘inactivate’ you on our system, so that you no longer receive communications from us. We keep your pet’s records for a minimum of 7 years but can anonymise computerised client data/shred paper records after this point.
We will pass on your details to a referral veterinary centre or practitioner e.g. behaviourist, physiotherapist if you agree for your pet to be referred. Your surname and pets name is used to identify your pet when we send external laboratory samples. We will pass on your details to our debt collection agency if required, in line with our terms and conditions.
Safeguards
Integrated Veterinary Services shall safeguard and protect all personal information under its control by implementing appropriate security measures based on the sensitivity of information. Integrated Veterinary Services shall ensure that its employees keep all personal information confidential and comply with the security standards established by this veterinary facility. We require that third parties to whom personal information is disclosed have committed to an appropriate level of security. On the disposal or destruction of personal information, Integrated Veterinary Services shall take the necessary precautions to prevent third parties from accessing such information and to maintain the confidentiality of this personal information.
Individual Access to Personal Information
Integrated Veterinary Services will respond promptly to any request made by an individual to access his or her personal information. We will need to confirm the identity of the person making the request and requests should be made in writing.
Cookies
Cookies are text files, which identify your computer to our server. Cookies in themselves do not identify the individual user, just the computer used. See also our Cookie Policy.
Questions and Concerns Regarding Compliance with this Policy
An individual providing personal information to Integrated Veterinary Services may address any questions, concerns or complaints to a Director. Integrated Veterinary Services will establish a procedure for processing any complaint about this personal information policy to ensure that all complaints are dealt with in an objective, fair and effective manner. Complaints can also be directed to the Information Commissioners Office.