Privacy Notice

Introduction

Medicare Support and Housing Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy. This notice explains how we handle your personal information, following UK data protection laws. We are the ‘data controller,’ responsible for your data. We have appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee data protection, and you can contact them with questions at info@medicaresupport.co.uk.

Personal information is any data that can identify you. This excludes anonymized data.

Our obligations:

  • Process data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.
  • Collect data for specific, legitimate purposes only.
  • Ensure data is relevant, limited, accurate, and up-to-date.
  • Store data securely and retain it only as long as needed.

Contact us with any questions: info@medicaresupport.co.uk or write to us at Regus House, Fairbourne Drive, Atterbury Lakes, Atterbury, Milton Keynes, MK10 9RG.

How We Collect Information

We collect your data when you:

  • Enquire about our services.
  • Use our website.
  • Become a service user.
  • Data is also collected from family, visitors and representatives when relevant to your care.
  • Complete surveys or provide feedback.

What Information We Collect

We collect data to provide you with care services. This includes:

  • Basic details: name, address, date of birth, contact details, and emergency contact.
  • Health data: allergies, medical history, current health conditions, and care needs.
  • Preferences: cultural or religious beliefs, ethnicity, lifestyle choices, and sexuality.
  • Financial data: payment information if you pay us directly.

We may also collect data from:

  • Health and social care professionals: GPs, social workers, and public bodies.
  • Family members or legal representatives you have authorised.

This information helps us create your care plan.

We collect personal data which can identify you. This includes basic data, health data, preferences and financial details. We also collect data when you use our website, including your IP address and interactions with our digital marketing. We may record phone calls for training and quality purposes.

How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

  • Develop and update your care plan.
  • Communicate with you, your representatives, and healthcare staff.
  • Make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs.
  • Invoice you for services.
  • Improve our services through quality assurance.
  • Fulfill contracts
  • Process payments
  • Meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Your data allows us to provide care and meet regulations.

We work with health professionals, local authorities, and regulators. We also work with service providers for IT and marketing. We share your information with those that need it to support your care.

Legal Basis for Processing Data

We process data based on these legal grounds:

  • Consent: When you agree to specific uses, such as sharing with third parties.
  • Contract: To provide your care services as agreed.
  • Legal obligation: To comply with laws and regulations, including Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements.
  • Legitimate interest: To run our business, improve services, and protect your rights.

These grounds ensure your data is handled legally.

Who We Share Data With

We may share your data with:

  • Healthcare professionals: GPs, pharmacists, and other professionals involved in your care.
  • Public bodies and regulators: CQC, safeguarding groups, and local authorities.
  • Trusted third-party providers who help us deliver services, under confidentiality.

We do not sell or use your data for marketing. Sharing only happens when necessary, with safeguards.

Special Category Data

This is sensitive data like race, ethnicity, religion, health, and sexual orientation. It has additional protection. We process this with your explicit consent, unless required for your care under law or contract.

How Long We Keep Data

We keep data only as long as necessary:

  • Care records: six years.
  • Financial records: seven years.
  • Feedback records: six years.

After the retention period, we securely delete or anonymize your data.

Data Storage and Protection

We store your data within the UK, the European Economic Area (EEA), the USA (under the UK-US data bridge) and other areas with adequacy decisions. We ensure security through internal policies, physical security, and IT measures.

Online Payments

Payments are processed via third-party providers.

Your Rights

You have these rights under UK GDPR:

  1. Access: View or request copies of your data. You can request this within one month of your request. We may ask for proof of identity before sharing your personal data.
  2. Rectification: Correct inaccurate data.
  3. Erasure: Request your data to be deleted, subject to legal requirements. You can request deletion where retention is not needed. We may need to keep data to fulfill legal and contractual obligations.
  4. Restriction: Limit how your data is used. You can ask us to suspend data processing in specific situations.
  5. Portability: Receive your data in a format for transfer to another provider.
  6. Objection: Challenge data processing for direct marketing or automated decisions.

Contact us at info@medicaresupport.co.uk to exercise your rights. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk or 0303 123 1113.

Market Research

We keep research data confidential. Participation is voluntary.

Marketing

You can request that we stop contacting you for marketing.

Automated Decision Making

We use care assessment systems, but a person makes the final decision.

Other Websites

This policy applies only to our website. When you visit others, read their privacy policies.

Keeping Your Data Secure

We protect your data with:

  • Restricted access to authorized personnel.
  • Confidential data processing.
  • Notification to affected individuals and regulators in case of a data breach.

Visit www.getsafeonline.org for more advice on data protection.

How to Make a Complaint

If you have concerns about our data handling, contact us at info@medicaresupport.co.uk. You can also complain to the ICO at www.ico.org.uk or 0303 123 1113.

Changes to This Notice

We regularly review this policy and will update it on our webpage. This notice was first published on 28th May 2024. We may revise it periodically.

How to Contact Us

Please contact us if you want to exercise any of your rights, or if you have any questions about our privacy policy or the information we hold about you.

Data Protection Officer

Medicare Support and Housing Ltd

Regus House, Fairbourne Drive,

Atterbury Lakes, Atterbury,

Milton Keynes, MK10 9RG

Email: info@medicaresupport.co.uk

You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). We prefer to address your concerns first, so please contact us.