Walk This Way Podiatry is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you visit our website, contact us, or receive treatment in our clinic. It also outlines how we use cookies and similar technologies. This policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

1. What Data We Collect

We collect different types of personal data depending on how you interact with us.

A) Patients attending the clinic

To provide safe and effective podiatry care, we may collect:

• Name

• Address

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Date of birth

• Medical history and clinical notes – Information discussed during your consultation, including symptoms, medical history, examination findings and treatment discussions, where this is processed to produce your clinical record using our AI-assisted clinical documentation system (CliniScribe).

• Appointment information

• Payment information

• Correspondence related to your care

• Communication and marketing preferences

We store this information securely in Cliniko, our GDPR-compliant patient record and appointment system.

B) People enquiring about our services

When you contact us by phone, email, website form, or social media, we may collect:

• Name

• Contact details

• Information relevant to your enquiry

• Date of birth (if relevant to clinical care)

C) Website visitors

When visiting our site, we may collect:

• Name and email (if you submit a contact form)

• IP address

• Browser type and version

• Device and operating system

• Pages visited, time on site, and navigation behaviour

• Information uploaded via forms

This helps us improve the functionality and performance of our website.

D) Cookies and tracking technologies

Our website uses cookies to:

• Ensure essential functions work properly

• Improve site performance

• Analyse website traffic

• Remember preferences

• Enhance user experience

More information is provided in Section 8: Cookies.

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2. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data only when we have a lawful basis to do so. We may use it to:

• Provide podiatry assessment and treatment

• Manage appointment bookings

• Maintain accurate medical records – To support the creation of accurate and comprehensive clinical records, we use CliniScribe, an AI-assisted clinical documentation system, during consultations. CliniScribe securely processes information discussed during your consultation to generate a draft clinical record. Your clinician reviews, edits where necessary and approves all notes before they become part of your medical record. CliniScribe supports documentation only and does not make clinical decisions or determine your treatment.

• Contact you by SMS, email, or telephone for reminders or important updates

• Process payments

• Respond to enquiries

• Improve website performance and user experience

• Send marketing communications (only with your consent)

We do not send unsolicited marketing or spam.

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3. Updating or Withdrawing Consent

You may update or withdraw your consent at any time.

To do so:

Email: hello@walkthiswaypodiatry.co.uk
Call: 01494 629599

You can also unsubscribe from marketing emails by using the link in any email we send.

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4. How and Where We Store Your Data

• Patient information is stored in Cliniko, which uses encryption and strict access controls.

• Website analytics data is stored on GDPR-compliant systems.

• Data is retained only for as long as necessary.

Retention periods include:

• Patient records: minimum 8 years after your last appointment (or until age 25 for minors)

• Financial records: 6 years (for tax and accounting)

• Website enquiries: only until your request is successfully handled

We take reasonable measures to prevent loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

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5. Sharing Your Data

We only share your information when necessary and appropriate.

We may share data with the following:

A) Healthcare professionals (with your consent)

Such as your GP, consultant, or other specialist clinicians for continuity of care.

B) Trusted third-party service providers

Including:

• Cliniko (patient records)

• SMS/email reminder systems

• IT support providers

• Payment processors

• Website hosting and analytics providers

These parties only receive the information necessary for their role and must comply with GDPR.

C) Legal and regulatory obligations

We may share data if required:

• By law

• For regulatory reasons

• For legal proceedings

D) Business transfers

Should ownership of Walk This Way Podiatry change, your data may be transferred under the same protections and purposes stated in this policy.

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6. International Data Transfers

Some third-party providers may process or store data outside the UK/EU.

When this occurs, we ensure:

• Standard Contractual Clauses

• Appropriate safeguards

• GDPR-compliant protections

are in place.

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7. Your Data Protection Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you

• Request corrections

• Request restrictions

• Withdraw consent

• Object to marketing

• Request deletion (clinical records may be exempt)

• Raise concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us (details below).

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8. Cookie Policy

This section explains how and why we use cookies.

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.
They help improve your browsing experience and allow websites to function efficiently.

Cookies may be:

• First-party (set by our site)

• Third-party (set by other services such as analytics)

• Session cookies (deleted when the browser closes)

• Persistent cookies (stored for longer)

Types of Cookies We Use

A) Essential cookies

Required for the website to function.
They cannot be disabled and include cookies used for:

• Site security

• Form submissions

• Page navigation

• System performance

B) Performance and analytics cookies

Used to understand how visitors use our website and to help improve it.
These may include tools like Google Analytics.
All data is anonymous.

C) Functionality cookies

Remember your preferences to improve your experience, such as:

• Saved settings

• Cookie consent choices

• Display preferences

D) Third-party cookies

Set by external services such as:

• Embedded maps

• Analytics tools

• Social media widgets

• Video players

These cookies may track usage across different websites.

Managing Cookies

When you first visit our website, you may see a cookie notice asking you to:

• Accept all cookies

• Reject non-essential cookies

• Manage cookie settings

You can change your preferences at any time.

You can also manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.
However, please note that disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

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9. Your Right to Withhold Information

• You can browse our website without submitting personal data.

• You can choose whether to allow cookies, though disabling them may limit site performance.

• Personal and medical information is required for podiatry treatment.

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10. Accessing Your Data & Contacting Us

If you want to:

• Request a copy of your data

• Update your information

• Withdraw consent

• Ask questions about how we process your data

Please contact us:

hello@walkthiswaypodiatry.co.uk
01494 629599
 4 Orchard Lane, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP65AB

We aim to respond promptly and in line with GDPR guidelines.

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11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy in response to:

• Legal changes

• Website improvements

• New technologies

• Changes to services or systems

The latest version will always be available on our website.