Privacy Policy for Hearthwood Veterinary Care
Introduction
At Hearthwood Veterinary Care, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect the information you provide to us when you visit our online platform or utilise our veterinary services. We comply with applicable data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Information We Collect
We collect various types of information to provide our comprehensive veterinary services, including:
- Personal Identification Information: This includes your name, address, email address, and phone number, collected when you register with us, schedule an appointment, or communicate with our staff.
- Pet Information: Details about your pet, such as its name, species, breed, age, medical history, vaccination records, and ongoing treatment plans.
- Payment Information: When you pay for our services, we collect necessary payment details (e.g., credit/debit card information). This is processed securely via third-party payment processors; we do not store full payment card details on our servers.
- Communication Data: Records of your communications with us, including emails, phone calls, and messages through our online platform.
- Technical Data: Information about your device and how you interact with our online platform, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and usage patterns. This is primarily collected through cookies and similar technologies.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To Provide Veterinary Services: To manage your pet’s health records, schedule appointments, provide emergency veterinary services, perform preventive health check-ups, dental care, vaccination programs, surgical procedures, nutritional counseling, and behavioural consultations.
- To Communicate with You: To send appointment reminders, treatment updates, billing information, and respond to your inquiries.
- For Billing and Payment Processing: To process payments for services rendered.
- To Improve Our Services: To understand how our services are used and to improve the quality of our veterinary care and online platform.
- For Legal and Regulatory Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms and conditions, and protect our rights and the safety of our patients and staff.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
- Veterinary Referrals: With your consent, we may share relevant medical information with specialist veterinary practices or laboratories for diagnostic purposes or referral care.
- Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business and providing our services (e.g., IT support, payment processors, communication platforms). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and only use it for the purposes we specify.
- Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, we may disclose your information.
- Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Hearthwood Veterinary Care, our patients, or others.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include data encryption, secured networks, access controls, and regular security assessments. While we strive to protect your personal data, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.
Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR)
Under GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Right to Erasure ( "Right to be Forgotten"): You have the right to request the deletion of your personal information under certain circumstances.
- Right to Restrict Processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information under certain conditions.
- Right to Data Portability: You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organisation, or directly to you, under certain conditions.
- Right to Object: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal information, under certain conditions.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact details provided below. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on our online platform. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Hearthwood Veterinary Care
2847 Elmbridge Road
Suite 3B
Bath, Somerset
BA2 3PD
United Kingdom