Privacy

Privacy Policy Statement for Munster Speech and Language 

When you use Munster Speech and Language Therapy  you trust us with your information. This privacy policy is meant to help you understand what data we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it. We have tried to make it as simple as possible but if you have any questions please contact us.

Denise Banksassumes the function of data controller and supervises the compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) within the business. 

  1. Information we collect
  2. Where we get our information
  3. How we use the information we collect
  4. Information we share
  5. How and when consent is obtained
  6. How we protect your data 
  7. Protecting your rights to data
  8. Security of your personal data

1      Information we collect

Munster Speech & Language Therapy holds personal data as part of conducting a professional service. The data follows under the following headings: healthcare records, educational records, clinical records, general administrative records, and financial records.

1.1     Healthcare records

A healthcare record refers to all information collected, processed and held both in manual and electronic formats pertaining to the service user and their care.  Speech and language problems can be complex, and a wide range of information may be collected in order to best meet the needs of the client, and to maintain a high quality service which meets best practice requirements. In order to provide a high quality service, a range of information may be collected.

Examples of data collected and held on all current and active clients include the following:

  • Contact details: Name, address, phone numbers, e-mail address, 
  • Personal details: date of birth, medical diagnosis and related information
  • Other contacts: name and contact details of GP and any other relevant healthcare professionals involved.

For child services:

  • Parent/guardian details
    • Description of family 
    • Educational placements.
    • Pre- and post-natal history: This can include information relating to mother’s pregnancy, and child’s birth.
    • Developmental data: developmental milestones, feeding history, audiology history.
    • Medical details: such as any relevant illnesses, medications, and relevant family history. Reports from other relevant allied health professionals such as: Audiology, Psychology, CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services), Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmology. 

For adult services:

  • Employment/vocational history
  • Mental health
  • Medical details such as any relevant illnesses, medication and past medical history

1.2     Educational records

Relevant Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), progress notes from educational staff and school reports may be held.

1.3     Clinical records

Specific data in relation to communication skills may be collected and held, such as assessment forms, reports, case notes, e-mails, text messages and transcripts of phone. Audio and video files may also be collected and stored.

1.4     General administrative records

Munster Speech and Language Therapymay hold information regarding attendance reports and accident report forms.

1.5     Financial records

A financial record pertains to all financial information concerning the practice, e.g. invoices, receipts, information for Revenue.Munster Speech and Language Therapymay hold data in relation to: on-line purchasing history, card payments, bank details, receipts and invoices. Information will include name of bill payer, client name, address and record of invoices and payments made.

2      Where we get our information

Personal data will be provided by the client, or in the case of a child (under 16 years), their parent(s)/guardian(s). This information will be collected as part of a case history form prior to, or on the date of first contact. 

Information may also be provided directly from relevant third parties such as schools, medical professionals and allied health professionals, with prior consent from the parent(s)/guardian(s).

3      How we use the information that we collect

We use the information we collect to provide assessment and therapy as per the relevant professional guidelines, as well as to maintain the general running of the business, such as running our electronic booking system, keeping our accounts and updating you of any changes in policies or fees. 

Information may also be used for research purposes, with the written consent of the client or parent/guardian.

3.1     Data retention periods

The retention periods are the suggested time periods for which the records should be held based on the organisation’s needs, legal and/or fiscal precedence or historical purposes. Following the retention deadline, all data will be destroyed under confidential means.

3.2     Client Records

3.2.1      Clinical Records

Munster Speech and Language Therapy  keeps both physical and electronic records of clinical data in order to provide a service.

  • Clinical data is deleted/confidentially destroyed after 7 years from last invoiced session. (Usually post discharge).
  • Clinical data used for research purposes, may be kept for longer than 7 years.
  • Video records/ voice recordings relating to client care/videoconferencing records may be recorded with consent, analysed and then destroyed. If written consent is provided to use recordings for training purposes, the client will have the option to withdraw consent at any time. 

3.2.2      Financial Records

Munster Speech and Language Therapy keeps electronic/paper records of financial data from those who use our services. 

Section 886 of the Direct Tax Acts states that the Revenue Commissioners require records to be retained for a minimum period of six years after the completion of the transactions, acts or operations to which they relate. These requirements apply to manual and electronic records equally.

  • Financial Data is kept for 6 years to adhere to Revenue guidelines.
  • Financial Data (including non-payment of bills) can be given to Revenue at Revenue’s request.

3.2.3      Contact Data

Contact Data is kept for 6 years to allow processing of Financial Data if required.  (This may be retained for longer for safety, legal request, or child protection reasons.)

3.3     Exceptions

If under investigation or if litigation is likely, files must be held in original form indefinitely, otherwise files are held for the minimum periods set out above. 

4      Information we share

We do not share personal information with companies, organisations and individuals outside Munster Speech and Language Therapy unless one of the following circumstances apply: 

4.1     With your consent:

We will only share your Personal Identifying Information (PII) to third parties when we have express written permission by letter or email to do so. We require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive information.

Third parties may include: hospitals, GPs, other allied health professionals, child care and educational facilities.

4.2     For legal reasons:

We will share personal information with companies or organisations outside of Munster Speech and Language Therapy if disclosure of the information is reasonably necessary to:

  • Meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.
    • Meet the requirements of the Children First Act 2015.
    • To protect against harm to the rights, property or safely of Munster Speech and Language Therapy, our service users or the public as required or permitted by law. 

4.3     To meet financial requirements:

Munster Speech and Language Therapy also is required to share Financial data with Heaphy McCarthy & Co Chartered Certified Accountants, Tax Consultants and Statutory Auditors in order to comply with local tax laws. Munster Speech and Languge Therapyhas obtaineda copy of the Heaphy McCarthy & Co Chartered Certified Accountants, Tax Consultants and Statutory Auditorsown Data protection policy.  

4.4     For processing by third parties/external processing

The following third parties are engaged for processing data:

WhoType of dataPurpose
Denise BanksRecord keeping, report writing, typing, correspondence.Updating records
Heaphy McCarthy & Co Chartered Certified Accountants, Tax Consultants and Statutory AuditorsFinancialProcessing financial accounts

4.4.1      Transfer of personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA):

Munster Speech and Language Therapy does not  transfer personal data outside the EEA..

5      How and when we obtain consent 

A link to Munster Speech and Language Therapy’s data protection policy is available at www.munsterslt.ie. A consent form will need to be signed by the client (or parent/guardian in the case of a child) prior to commencing the service. 

Should a client wish to withdraw their consent for data to be processed, they can do so by contacting Munster Speech and Language Therapy.

6      How we protect your data

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we will endeavour to protect your personal data in a number of ways:

6.1     By limiting the data that we collect in the first instance

All data collected by us will be collected solely for the purposes set out at 1 above and will be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes.  The data will not be processed any further in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes save in the special circumstances referred to in section 5.1. Furthermore, all data collected by us will be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is collected which include, inter alia, the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of speech, language and communication disorders.

6.2     By transmitting the data in certain specified circumstances only 

Data will only be share and transmitted, be it on paper or electronically, only as is required, and as set out in section 3.

6.3     By keeping only the data that is required 

when it is required and by limiting its accessibility to any other third parties.

6.4     By disposing of/destroying the data once the individual has ceased receiving treatment 

within 7 years of the completion of this treatment apart from the special categories of personal data as set out at 1.1 above. Where data is required to be held by us for longer than the period of 7 years, we will put in place appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk. These may include measures such as the encryption of electronic devices, pseudonymisation of personal data, and/or safe and secure storage facilities for paper/electronic records. 

6.5     By retaining the data for only as long as is required 

which in this case is 7 yearsexcept for circumstances in which retention of data is required in circumstances set out at part 1.1 above or in certain specific circumstances as set out at Article 23(1) of the GDPR.

6.6     By destroying the data securely and confidentially after the period of retention has elapsed.  

This could include the use of confidential shredding facilities or, if requested by the individual, the return of personal records to the individual.

6.7     By ensuring that any personal data collected and retained is both accurate and up-to-date.

7      Protecting your Rights to Data

7.1     Adult clients

Adults have the right to request data held on them as per article 15 of GDPR. A request must be made in writing. Further information regarding accessing your personal data are available in the document ‘Rights of Individuals under the General Data Protection Regulation’, downloadable from: www.gdprandyou.ie

7.2     Children 

For children under the age of 16, data access requests are made by their guardians. When a child turns 16, then they may make a request for their personal data. However, this is subject to adherence with the Children First Act. 

8      Security

Munster Speech and Language Therapyas with most providers of healthcare services is aware of the need for privacy. As such, we aim to practice privacy by design as a default approach, and only obtain and retain the information needed to provide you with the best possible service. 

All persons working in, and with Munster Speech and Language Therapy  in a professional capacity are briefed on the proper management, storage and safekeeping of data. 

All data used by Munster Speech and Languagee Therapy, including personal data may be retained in any of the following formats:

  1. Electronic Data
  2. Physical Files

The type of format for storing the data is decided based on the format the data exists in. 

Where applicable, Munster Speech and Language Therapy may convert physical files to electronic records to allow us to provide a better service to clients.

8.1     Data Security

Munster Speech and Language Therapy understands that the personal data used in order to provide a service belongs to the individuals involved. The following outlines the steps which Munster Speech and Language Therapy use to ensure that the data is kept safe.

8.1.1      Electronic Data

All electronic data is contained in the following systems: (Copy / Paste for each system).

e.g. Email system, CMS, shared folders, etc.

 [NAME OF SYSTEM #1 USED]:
– This system is physically located in [NAME OF COUNTRY].

– This system provider is aware of their requirements for GDPR compliance.

– The system has an [INTERNAL / EXTERNAL to Name of Business]administrator / Database owner.

[IF EXTERNAL – The External administrator has/ does not have access to client records]

– This system HAS / DOES NOT HAVEa Live Update for security enabled.

– All persons working in (Name of business)have READ/WRITE/ DELETEaccess to records.

– All persons require a Log on and Password in order to access the records.

– A copy of the files ARE made/ ARE NOT madeon the users’ computer when in use.

– The data controller in (Name of business) CAN / CANNOTremove or delete users.

– The data controller in (Name of business) CAN / CANNOTchange users passwords.

 [NAME OF SYSTEM #2 USED]:
– This system is physically located in [NAME OF COUNTRY].

– This system provider is aware of their requirements for GDPR compliance.

– The system has an [INTERNAL / EXTERNAL to Name of Business]administrator / Database owner.

[IF EXTERNAL – The External administrator has/ does not have access to client records]

– This system HAS / DOES NOT HAVEa Live Update for security enabled.

– All persons working in (Name of business)have READ/WRITE/ DELETEaccess to records.

– All persons require a Log on and Password in order to access the records.

– A copy of the files ARE made/ ARE NOTmade on the users’ computer when in use.

– The data controller in(Name of business) CAN/CANNOTremove or delete users.

– The data controller in (Name of business) CAN/CANNOTchange users passwords.

8.1.2      Physical Files

All physical data is located in the Munster Speech and Language Therapy office. Only Denise Banks, and persons assigned to provide administrative support to Munster Speech and Language Therapy have access to these records.  All records are kept under lock. 

8.2     Security Policy

8.2.1      Munster Speech and Language Therapyunderstands that requirements for electronic and physical storage may change with time and the state of the art. As such, the data controller in Munster Speech and Language Therapy  reviews the electronic and physical storage options available every year.

8.2.2      All physical devices used by persons working in Munster Speech and Language Therapywhich may contain any identifiable PII are protected and located in a secure location at all times.

8.2.3      All persons working in Munster Speech and Language Therapyare aware and briefed on and refresh the requirements for good data hygiene every year. This briefing compliance is monitored by Denise Banks and includes, but is not limited to:

§    Awareness of client conversations in unsecure locations.

§    Enabling auto-lock on devices when leaving them unattended, even within Munster Speech and Language Therapy locations.

§     Use of non-identifiable note taking options. (initials, not names).

§     Any data breaches will be reported to the appropriate authorities within 72 hours of data breach.

Date of document: February 2019

Review Date:February 2020