Privacy Policy - The Real Dietitian
This Privacy Policy describes how The Real Dietitian collects, uses, protects, and shares your personal information as part of my freelance dietitian services.
Your privacy is important to me, and I am committed to protecting your personal and health information in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards.
Information I Collect
Personal Information
Name, date of birth, and contact information (email, phone number, address)
Emergency contact information
Payment and billing information
Health Information
Medical history and current health conditions
Dietary habits, food preferences, and allergies
Anthropometric data (height, weight, body composition)
Laboratory results and test reports (if provided)
Medication, substance and supplement use
Lifestyle information (physical activity, sleep, stress levels)
Progress notes and consultation records
Communication Records
Email correspondence
Messages through consultation platforms
Session notes and follow-up communications
How I Collect Information
I collect information:
Directly from you during consultations, intake forms, and questionnaires
Through email, phone, or video consultations
From healthcare providers (with your written consent)
Through monitoring and tracking tools you may choose to use
How I Use Your Information
I use your information to:
Provide personalised nutrition counselling and meal planning
Monitor your progress and adjust recommendations
Communicate with you about appointments and follow-ups
Process payments for services
Comply with legal and professional obligations
Improve my services (using anonymised data)
Information Sharing and Disclosure
I will only share your information:
With your consent: When you authorise me to share information with your healthcare providers or family members
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
Professional Consultation: With other healthcare professionals for case consultation (with identifying information removed)
Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers (e.g., scheduling platforms, payment processors) who are contractually obligated to protect your information
I will never sell your personal or health information to third parties.
Data Security
I implement appropriate security measures to protect your information, including:
Secure, encrypted storage of electronic records
Password-protected systems and devices
Secure communication channels for sensitive information
Physical security measures for paper records
Regular data backups
Limited access to information (only accessible by me or authorised personnel)
Data Retention
I retain your health records in accordance with professional guidelines and legal requirements:
Active client records: Maintained for the duration of our professional relationship
Inactive records: Retained for [7-10 years] after our last consultation or as required by law
Financial records: Retained according to tax and accounting requirements
After the retention period, records are securely destroyed or permanently deleted.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access: Request copies of your personal and health information
Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
Restriction: Request limitations on how I use your information
Portability: Receive your information in a transferable format
Withdrawal: Withdraw consent for information sharing (where applicable)
Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
To exercise these rights, please contact me using the information below.
Cookies and Website Technologies
If I maintain a website or use online booking systems, these platforms may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Third-Party Services
I may use third-party platforms for:
Video consultations (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet)
Scheduling and billing (e.g., Stripe, Square)
Record Keeping and dictation (e.g., Nutrium, Heidi, Google Docs)
Email communications (e.g., Gmail, Outlook)
These services have their own privacy policies, and I encourage you to review them. I select service providers that maintain appropriate security standards.
Children's Privacy
If I provide services to minors, I obtain appropriate consent from parents or legal guardians before collecting any personal or health information.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in my practices or legal requirements. I will notify you of significant changes via email or through my website. Your continued use of my services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact me:
Rachel Ball at The Real Dietitian
dietitian.rachel@outlook.com
07856340770
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
Me, using the contact information above, the ICO, the BDA or the HCPC.
Acknowledgment
By engaging my services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.
