Patricia K Austin’s practice, [58A High Street, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5PZ] (the "Practice").

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the website and all services provided by the Patricia K Austin’s practice.

A. Website Terms

Use of Website: The content on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified podiatrist or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Intellectual Property: All content, including text, graphics, logos, and images, is the property of the Patricia K Austin practice or its content suppliers and is protected by UK and international copyright laws.

Accuracy of Information: While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website.

B. Practice Service Terms (Appointments, Payment, and Liability)

Appointments: All appointments are subject to availability.

Cancellation Policy: We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice for cancellation or rescheduling of appointments. Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in a cancellation fee equal to the full cost of the appointment, payable before your next booking.

Payment: Payment is due in full at the time of the consultation or treatment unless a prior arrangement has been made (e.g., with an insurer). The Practice reserves the right to change its fees at any time, but this will be communicated to you before your appointment.

Suitability of Treatment: The Practice reserves the right to decline treatment if, in the professional opinion of the practitioner, the treatment is not suitable for the patient's condition or health status.

Limitation of Liability: The Practice and its employees shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the provision of services, except where such loss, injury, or damage is caused by the negligence or wilful misconduct of the Practice or its employees.

Governing Law: These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes relating to these terms and conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Owner/Data Controller: Patricia K Austin practice, 58A High Street, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5PZ (the "Practice," "we," "us," or "our"). Contact for Data Protection: Patricia K Austin, Email: [austinpod58@yahoo.com]

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, both through our website and when you receive treatment at our practice, in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018).

 1. Data We Collect

 We process two main types of data:

 Session Cookies

Used for basic website function; they are erased when you close your browser.

Session (until browser is closed)

 Persistent Cookies

Used to remember your preferences; they remain on your device for a set period.

Up to [e.g., 1 year]

 First-party Cookies

Set by the website you are visiting (this website).

Varies

 Third-party Cookies

Set by a different domain than the website you are visiting (e.g., Google Analytics).

Varies

2. How We Use Your Data

We use your data primarily to:

Provide safe and effective podiatry treatment.

Administer and manage your appointments and communicate with you.

Maintain accurate clinical records as required by professional bodies (e.g., the HCPC). 

Process payments and maintain financial records. 

3. Data Storage and Security

Clinical Records: Patient records are kept for the minimum retention period required by professional bodies (e.g., typically 8 years after the last treatment, or until the patient's 25th birthday if they were a child).

Security: We are committed to ensuring your data is secure. We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, including secure electronic patient record systems, password protection, and physical security for paper records.

4. Sharing Your Personal Data (including UK/EEA Processing)

We treat your personal data with the utmost confidentiality. We will only share your data in the following limited circumstances:

 With Your Consent: If you explicitly request or consent for us to share information with a third party (e.g., another healthcare professional, your GP).

Legal Obligation: Where required by law, such as a court order or an inquiry by a regulatory body (e.g., the HCPC).

Service Providers: With trusted third-party providers who assist us in operating our business (e.g., appointment booking software, payment processors, IT support).

5. International Data Transfers (US Data Processing)

To operate our practice effectively, we utilise certain software and services provided by companies based in the United States (US). This means that some of your personal data may be transferred to, and processed in, the US.

Reason for Transfer: We may use US-based providers for essential business functions such as: 

Email Communication (e.g., Microsoft, Yahoo or Google services).

Cloud Storage for administrative files 

Appointment/Practice Management Software.

Safeguards for US Transfers (UK GDPR Compliance): When transferring personal data outside of the UK, we ensure that the transfer complies with UK GDPR and that your data remains protected. We rely on one of the following protective measures:

UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (UK-US Data Bridge): We ensure that the US organisation receiving the data is certified under and complies with the UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This mechanism is currently recognised by the UK Government as providing an adequate level of protection for personal data.

International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA): If the US recipient is not certified under the DPF, the transfer is covered by the UK's approved International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) or the Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, which contractually obligate the recipient to protect the data to UK GDPR standards.

6. Your Rights as a Data Subject (UK GDPR/DPA 2018)

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to be Informed: The right to be informed about how your data is being used (which this policy fulfils).

Right of Access: The right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you (a Subject Access Request).

Right to Rectification: The right to have inaccurate personal data corrected.

Right to Erasure ('Right to be Forgotten'): The right to request that your data is deleted, though this right is limited concerning clinical health records, which must be retained for legal and professional purposes. 

Right to Restriction of Processing: The right to block or suppress the processing of your personal data.

Right to Data Portability: The right to obtain and reuse your personal data for your own purposes across different services.

Right to Object: The right to object to the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

7. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we have handled your personal data, please contact the Data Controller (Patricia K Austin: austinpod58@yahoo.com) in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's supervisory authority for data protection issues:

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF Helpline: 0303 123 1113 Website: https://www.ico.org.uk/

Owner: Patricia K Austin practice, [Insert Address from website: 58A High Street, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5PZ] (the "Practice," "we," "us," or "our"). 

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. 

How We Use Cookies

Our website, www.chiropodistsandpodiatrists.co.uk, uses cookies to improve your user experience and for analytical purposes. We use them for the following purposes: 

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the website to function correctly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

Performance/Analytical Cookies: These allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.

Types of Cookies Used

 Cookie Type              Purpose              Duration

Session Cookies              Used for basic website function; they are erased when you close your browser.              Session (until browser is closed)

Persistent Cookies              Used to remember your preferences; they remain on your device for a set period.              Up to [e.g., 1 year]

First-party Cookies              Set by the website you are visiting (this website).              Varies

Third-party Cookies              Set by a different domain than the website you are visiting (e.g., Google Analytics).              Varies

Your Consent and Managing Cookies (PECR/GDPR)

 Under UK law, we require your explicit consent to use any cookies that are not strictly necessary for the operation of the website.

Consent: When you first visit our website, a cookie banner will appear allowing you to accept or decline the use of non-essential cookies.

Withdrawal: You can withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your browser history and settings, or by adjusting your preferences via the link in the footer of the website.

Browser Controls: You can also manage your cookie preferences through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block all cookies, accept only certain types, or block third-party cookies.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our cookie usage or legal requirements. Please check this page regularly for any updates.