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Medical Disclaimer + Patient Consent & Data Handling

Medical Disclaimer, Patient Consent & Data Handling – Hainault Health Clinic

Effective Date: 19/10/2025 

Hainault Health Clinic (“we”, “our”, “us”) provides this page to ensure that patients and website users understand the scope of clinical information, the consent required for treatment, telehealth, and the processing of personal and health data. This page is designed to be comprehensive, legally robust, and fully compliant with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

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By accessing our website, booking an appointment, or receiving services, you acknowledge and consent to the policies outlined here.

Appendix

1. Medical Disclaimer

  • General Information: All content on this website, including articles, blog posts, videos, and downloadable materials, is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

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  • Not a Substitute for Medical Advice: The website content does not replace consultation, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

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  • Individual Variability: Medical conditions and treatment responses vary. Information provided may not apply to your specific circumstances.

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  • No Liability: Hainault Health Clinic is not liable for any outcomes resulting from reliance on website content, including decisions about diet, exercise, or self-treatment.

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Example: If a patient reads about a new physiotherapy exercise online and performs it incorrectly without supervision, the clinic is not responsible for any injury.

2. Patient Consent for Treatment

Before receiving services, patients must provide informed consent. This includes:

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  1. Acknowledgement of Risks and Benefits: Patients are informed about potential risks, side effects, and expected benefits of treatments.

  2. Alternatives: Patients are made aware of alternative treatment options when available.

  3. Voluntary Participation: Consent is given voluntarily, without coercion.

  4. Ability to Withdraw: Patients may withdraw consent at any time, except where legally restricted.

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Example: A patient undergoing minor surgery is informed of infection risks, alternative therapies, and recovery expectations, and signs a consent form before the procedure.

3. Telehealth & Online Consultations

Telehealth consultations are offered where appropriate, but come with limitations:

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  • Scope of Services: Only services suitable for remote delivery are provided. Physical examination may be limited or unavailable.

  • Confidential Environment: Patients must ensure they are in a private, secure location during telehealth sessions.

  • Technology Requirements: Patients are responsible for device compatibility, internet connectivity, and software updates.

  • Consent to Telehealth: Patients consent to receiving services remotely and understand associated limitations.

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Example: A patient seeking physiotherapy advice via video call must ensure the camera angle allows clear observation of movements for accurate guidance.

Appendix

4. GDPR-Compliant Consent for Data Processing

Under UK GDPR, patients provide consent for the collection and processing of personal and health data:

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  • Purpose of Data Collection: To provide healthcare services, manage appointments, communicate test results, bill for services, and comply with legal requirements.

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  • Data Types Collected: Personal information, health records, billing information, communication records, and website usage data.

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  • Legal Basis: Processing is based on consent, contractual necessity, legal obligations, or legitimate interests.

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  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Patients may withdraw consent for non-essential processing, such as marketing or research communications.

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Example: A patient consents to their consultation notes being stored electronically but may withdraw consent for receiving newsletters.

5. Data Sharing

Patient data may be shared only under strict conditions:

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  • Healthcare Coordination: Shared with specialists, laboratories, or other healthcare providers involved in patient care.

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  • Legal Compliance: Shared with regulatory authorities or law enforcement if required by law.

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  • Service Providers: Shared with IT, cloud, or billing providers under confidentiality agreements.

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  • No Sale of Data: Patient data is never sold or commercially exploited.

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Example: Lab results for a blood test are securely shared with both the patient and the attending clinician but not publicly disclosed.

6. Data Retention

  • Adults: Records retained for at least 8 years from the date of last treatment.

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  • Children: Records retained until at least 25 years of age.

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  • Billing and Financial Records: Retained for 7 years or as required by law.

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  • Anonymized Data: May be retained indefinitely for research or quality improvement purposes, without patient identifiers.

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Explanation: Retention ensures continuity of care, regulatory compliance, and the ability to respond to legal inquiries.

Appendix

7. Patient Rights

Patients have comprehensive rights under GDPR, including:

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  1. Access: Request copies of personal and health data held.

  2. Correction: Rectify inaccurate or incomplete information.

  3. Erasure: Request deletion of data where legally permissible.

  4. Restriction: Limit certain processing activities.

  5. Objection: Object to processing for marketing or research.

  6. Data Portability: Receive a copy of data in a structured, machine-readable format.

  7. Complaint Rights: Contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if concerns arise regarding data protection.

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Example: A patient may request a copy of their consultation records or request deletion of historical marketing preferences.

8. Confidentiality

  • All staff are trained to maintain strict confidentiality.

  • Patient records, whether electronic or paper-based, are securely stored.

  • Confidentiality may only be breached under legal obligations, such as safeguarding or public health notifications.

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Example: Safeguarding concerns about a minor require sharing information with relevant authorities, but only strictly necessary details are disclosed.

9. Communication and Consent for Electronic Services

  • Patients consent to receiving appointment reminders, test results, or follow-up instructions via email, SMS, or telephone.

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  • Patients may opt out of non-essential communications, such as newsletters or promotions.

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  • Electronic communications are encrypted and secured wherever possible.

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Example: A patient receives a secure email containing lab results but may choose to stop receiving promotional updates.

10. Limitations of Liability

  • While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Hainault Health Clinic is not liable for errors in electronic communications or online content.

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  • Telehealth limitations are clearly communicated to patients.

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  • Patients remain responsible for following professional medical advice and reporting urgent symptoms promptly.

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Example: If a patient misinterprets advice from a telehealth consultation, the clinic cannot be held liable for adverse outcomes.

11. Updates to This Policy

  • This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in technology, law, or clinical practice.

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  • Updated versions will be posted online with the effective date.

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  • Patients are encouraged to review the policy regularly for updates.

12. Contact Information

For questions regarding consent, data protection, telehealth, or patient rights:

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Email: admin@hainaulthealthclinic.co.uk

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