Privacy Policy

Privacy notice for Dr Lorna Kerr Clinical Psychology Services

I take the protection of your privacy very seriously. I endeavour to comply with the principles of data protection and UK GDPR requirements. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Your personal data

The data that I hold about you is stored on a password-protected and encrypted online practice management system. The personal data that I hold about you consists of information that is necessary to our work together as Clinical Psychologist and client. For example, your name, address, date of birth and your G.P details. I also require your contact details (e.g., email address and phone number) and your emergency contact/next of kin contact details.

I create and store clinical notes from your appointments, which contain essential information about each appointment (i.e., time and date of the appointment, main issues discussed, any risk issues). These are not designed to be a complete record of the conversations between us. Clinical notes are stored on an encrypted online practice management system.

As part of our clinical work together I may be required to write reports or letters to third parties (e.g., case managers or other healthcare professionals). I will provide you with a copy of these letters or reports upon request. Copies of these reports or letters are stored on an encrypted online practice management system.

If you choose to communicate with me via email, I do my best to ensure the confidentiality of your communication. I use an email service with end-to-end encryption and my email is password protected, as are my computer and other electronic devices. However, even with such precautions, the possibility of hackers gaining access to email accounts is possible. Please be aware of this before sending any emails that contain information that you wish to remain confidential. Emails or information that you send to me will be deleted and not stored after reading/responding, unless we have agreed otherwise.

Data processing

I hope to provide a safe space for you to explore and overcome the difficulties that you may be experiencing. Information that you share with me during our appointments is therefore strictly confidential. However, there are some circumstances where limited personal data may be shared with third party service providers (e.g., for business administration and accounting purposes). When I use a third-party service provider, I only disclose only the personal information that is necessary to deliver the service and I have a contract in place that requires them to keep your information secure and not to use it for their own purposes. There are also special or extreme circumstances where I may need to share limited amounts of your personal data with third parties. Further details are outlined below.

Clinical Supervision

In line with the guidelines of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Psychological Society (BPS), I engage in regular clinical supervision. This is to ensure that I work in a safe and accountable manner and to enable me to provide a high-quality clinical psychology service. I currently engage in two hours of monthly supervision with a HCPC registered Psychologist (1 hour) and an accredited EMDR Europe Consultant (1 hour). I may discuss the work that I am undertaking with individual clients with my supervisor/s. The information that I share with my supervisor is confidential and I avoid disclosing clients’ names or any other identifying information about clients during supervision.

Clinical Trustee

In the unfortunate event I can no longer work with you due to my sudden illness or death, I have appointed a clinical trustee/executor who will have access to limited personal data (e.g., your name and contact details) to notify you of the situation.

Chartered Accountant

My accountant requires access to my businesses’ financial records for tax assessment purposes. These include copies of my bank statements and invoices. My accountant is a chartered member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and he has provided me with a thorough and detailed data protection Privacy Policy.

Office Manager/Personal Assistant

My office manager/personal assistant is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and has signed a contract detailing her duties to protect your data. My office manager/personal assistant only has permission to access data that is necessary to complete the administration/secretarial tasks assigned to her.

Special or Extreme Circumstances

There are special circumstances under which I may need to break confidentiality. For example, a breach of confidentiality may be necessary under the following circumstances:

To prevent serious harm to you or to others (including children)

If I have serious concerns about your personal safety

To prevent acts of terrorism or to bring a terrorist to justice in the UK

In the case of a Court Order where I am ordered to produce clinical information

Data retention

I will retain the personal data that I hold for seven years (for legal and tax purposes). After this point, I will delete the personal data I hold about you from my online practice management system.

Your Right to Access Information

You have the right to request access to your personal data. You may either request this verbally or in writing. I will act on this request without delay and at the latest within one month of receiving your request.

Contact Information

Dr Lorna Kerr

20 Richmond Road

Exeter

EX4 4JA

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Changes to my privacy notice

I keep this privacy notice under regular review. This privacy notice was last updated on 31.10.21.

Complaints

I seek to directly resolve all complaints or concerns that you have about how I handle your personal information, but you also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone – 0303 123 1113

Website: https://ico.org.uk/concerns