What is a cookie?
A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by a website’s server and only that server will be able to retrieve or read the contents of that cookie. Each cookie is unique to your web browser. It will contain some anonymous information such as a unique identifier and the site name and some digits and numbers. It allows a website to remember things like your preferences.

Cookie categories

• Strictly necessary cookies – these cookies enable services you have specifically asked for.
• Performance cookies – these cookies collect anonymous information on the pages visited.
• Functionality cookies – these cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience.
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What information will this webiste collect about you?

• Information about your visits to and use of this website (including your IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, length of visit and page views). We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone.
• Information you provide by filling in forms on our website, such as when you register to receive information.
• Information you provide when you refer yourself or are referred by a doctor.
  
  

How will this website use the information they collect about you?
We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, for example:

• To improve the content and design of the website,
• To contact you about a request/enquiry you have made with us,

Medical details you send to us electronically for assessment of your condition, arrangement of appointment or any other purpose may be transmitted to consultants for their professional opinion. By sending us your details, health records etc. you consent and accept that it may be necessary for us to forward these clinical details electronically or in other formats. We will never share your information with other organisations for marketing, market research or commercial purposes.

How do you turn cookies off?
It is usually possible to stop your browser accepting cookies, or to stop it accepting cookies from a particular website.

All modern browsers allow you to change your cookie settings. These settings will typically be found in the ‘options’ or ‘preferences’ menu of your browser.  You may also use the ‘Help’ option in your browser for more details.

How we use your personal information

 Dr Qureshi and his team maintain records about your health and any treatment or care you have received.  These records are used to help to provide you with the best possible healthcare.

 These records may be electronic, on paper or a mixture of both, and we use a combination of working practices and technology to ensure that your information is kept confidential and secure. Records Dr Qureshi and his team hold about you may include the following information:

• Details about you, such as your name, address, carers, legal representatives and emergency contact details
• Any contact Dr Qureshi and his team has had with you, such as appointments, clinic visits, emails, etc.
• Notes and reports about your health
• Details about your treatment and care
• Results of investigations such as laboratory tests, x-rays, etc.
• Relevant information from other health professionals, relatives or those who care for you

To ensure you receive the best possible care, your records are used to facilitate the care you receive. Information may be used within Dr Qureshi’s practice for clinical Audit to monitor the quality of the service provided.

 How do we maintain the confidentiality of your records?

 We are committed to protecting your privacy and will only use information collected lawfully in accordance with:

• Data Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation 2016
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
• Health and Social Care Act 2012
• NHS Codes of Confidentiality, Information Security and Records Management
• Information: To Share or Not to Share Review

 Every member of staff who works for Dr Qureshi receives training and has a legal obligation to keep information about you confidential.  Internal audits of compliance with GDPR regulations are undertaken regularly.

We will only ever use or pass on information about you if others involved in your care have a genuine need for it. We will not disclose your information to any third party without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances (i.e. life or death situations), where the law requires information to be passed on and / or in accordance with the new information sharing principle following Dame Fiona Caldicott’s information sharing review (Information to share or not to share) where “The duty to share information can be as important as the duty to protect patient confidentiality.” This means that health and social care professionals should have the confidence to share information in the best interests of their patients within the framework set out by the Caldicott principles. They should be supported by the policies of their employers, regulators and professional bodies.

 Who are our partner organisations?

 We may also have to share your information, subject to strict agreements on how it will be used, with the following organisations:

• GPs
• Private Sector Providers (e.g. HCA, BMI, TrustPlus, consultants, dieticians, etc.)
• NHS Trusts / Foundation Trusts
• Independent Contractors such as dentists, opticians, pharmacists
• Social Care Services
• Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC)
• Police & Judicial Services
• Other ‘data processors’ which you will be informed of

How to update your consent preferences?

Dr Qureshi and his team use text messaging (e.g. to send patients details about their next appointment, to request appointments to see an allied healthcare worker or another consultant, etc). We will never send urgent communications of personal medical information via text messaging.

Dr Qureshi and his team also communicate by e-mail (e.g. to send patients details about their next appointment, to request appointments to see another an allied healthcare worker or another consultant, send patient’s their results and reports, etc.).

On 25th May 2018 we will be switching our clinical systems to “explicit consent”. In order to continue to receive text message reminders you will need to re-confirm your consent preferences with us, otherwise we cannot continue to send these to you. You can download a consent form from the link at the top of this page and email it to nazima.sardar@hcaconsultant.co.uk.

Your contact details will only be used in relation to appointments or other healthcare services offered by Dr Qureshi, and you can choose to opt out at any time in the future.  You will be informed who your data will be shared with and in some cases asked for explicit consent for this happen when this is required.

In the event of personal data breach

Dr Qureshi and his team have in place procedures to detect, report and investigate a personal data breach. Certain types of personal data breach have to be informed to relevant supervisory authorities. In this event, this will be done within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, where feasible. Where breach is likely to result in a high risk to your rights and freedoms (e.g. discrimination, damage to reputation, financial loss, loss of confidentiality or other significant economic or social disadvantage), you will also be informed without undue delay.

Access to personal information

You have a right under the Data Protection Act 1998 to request access to view or to obtain copies of what information the surgery holds about you and to have it amended should it be inaccurate. In order to request this, you need to do the following:

• Your request must be made in writing to Dr Qureshi.  For information from the hospital you should write direct to them
• There may be a charge to have a printed copy of the information held about you
• We are required to respond to you within 1 calendar month.
• You will need to give adequate information (for example full name, address, date of birth and details of your request) so that your identity can be verified and your records located

Summary of your rights

            –           Right to be informed

            –           Right of access

            –           Right to rectification

            –           Right to erasure

            –           Right to restrict processing

            –           Right to data portability

            –           Right to object

            –           Right not be subject to automated decision-making including profiling

Objections / Complaints

 Should you have any concerns about how your information is managed, please contact Dr Qureshi and his team. If you are still unhappy following a review by Dr Qureshi and his team, you can then complain to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) via their website (www.ico.gov.uk).

 If you are happy for your data to be extracted and used for the purposes described in this privacy notice then you do not need to do anything. If you have any concerns about how your data is shared then please contact Dr Qureshi and his team.

Change of Details

 It is important that you tell Dr Qureshi and his team if any of your details such as your name or address have changed or if any of your details such as date of birth is incorrect in order for this to be amended. You have a responsibility to inform us of any changes so our records are accurate and up to date for you.

Notification

 The Data Protection Act 1998 requires organisations to register a notification with the Information Commissioner to describe the purposes for which they process personal and sensitive information.   This information is publicly available on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.  Dr Qureshi is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

Who is the Data Controller?

 The Data Controller, responsible for keeping your information secure and confidential is:

Dr Qureshi

7th Floor, wards block
Northwick Park Hospital
Watford Road
Harrow  HA1 3UJ

Tel: 07733595617

Complaints 

Should you have any concerns about how your information is managed by Dr Qureshi and his team please contact:

Dr Qureshi 
Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology
7th Floor, wards block
Northwick Park Hospital
Watford Road
Harrow  HA1 3UJ
Tel: 07733595617

If you are still unhappy following a review by Dr Qureshi you can then complain to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). www.ico.org.uk, casework@ico.org.uk, telephone: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745