Privacy Policy
Introduction
At Churchdown Osteopaths, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and the choices available to you.
We process personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable data protection laws.
Information we collect
To provide safe, appropriate and effective care, we need to collect and process certain personal information, including contact details and relevant health information. If you choose not to provide this information, we may be unable to offer treatment.
Before treatment begins, you will be asked to complete registration and consent documentation.
We may also collect information when you:
Contact us by telephone, email or through our website.
Complete website forms or surveys.
Visit our website, including certain technical information such as IP addresses and website usage statistics.
How we use your information
We use your personal information to:
Provide safe and effective osteopathic care.
Arrange appointments and send appointment reminders.
Communicate with you about your treatment or ongoing care.
Respond to enquiries.
Maintain accurate clinical records.
Meet our legal and professional obligations.
Marketing and practice updates
From time to time, Churchdown Osteopaths may send newsletters containing patient education, health advice, practice news or information about services that we believe may be relevant or of interest to our patients.
You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us directly. Opting out will not affect essential communications such as appointment reminders or information relating to your care.
Cookies and website analytics
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us understand how visitors use the site.
We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device until deleted or until they expire).
We also use Google Analytics to help us understand website usage and improve our services.
You can manage your cookie preferences using the cookie banner presented when you first visit our website.
Legal basis for processing
Depending on the circumstances, we process personal information:
To provide healthcare services and fulfil our contractual obligations.
To comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests.
Where consent is required and has been given.
How long we keep your information
We are legally required to retain clinical records for a minimum of eight years following your most recent appointment or until you reach the age of 25, whichever is longer.
After this period, records will be securely deleted unless we have a legal, regulatory or patient care reason to retain them for longer.
Keeping your information secure
We use carefully selected third-party providers to support the running of our practice, such as secure practice management systems, communications platforms and website services. Where these providers process personal information on our behalf, they are required to handle it securely and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information. This includes secure practice management systems, strong password protection, two-factor authentication where available, restricted access to personal information and appropriate physical security measures for paper records and our premises.
All members of our team have a duty to maintain patient confidentiality.
Sharing your information
We do not sell or trade your personal information.
Where appropriate and in connection with your care, we may share relevant information with other healthcare professionals or organisations, such as your GP, consultant, surgeon or private medical insurer. Wherever practicable, we will inform you before doing so unless we are legally required to disclose the information or there is an overriding safeguarding or safety concern.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
Request access to your personal information.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion of information where appropriate.
Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
Object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing.
Request transfer of your data where applicable.
Access requests
To protect your privacy and security, we will normally require appropriate proof of identity before providing access to personal information or responding to certain requests relating to your data.
Changes to this policy
The latest version of this Privacy Policy will always be available on our website.
Questions or concerns about your information
If you have any questions or concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us in the first instance. We will always do our best to address your concerns promptly and fairly.
If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Contact details
Practice Manager
Churchdown Osteopaths
102 Chosen Drive
Churchdown
Gloucester GL3 2QU
Telephone: 01452 714511
Email: hello@churchdownosteopaths.co.uk
Last Reviewed June 2026