(Last updated June 2025)

This privacy policy explains how Lucy Clarke Nutrition & Acupuncture collects, stores, and uses your personal data.

Why I Collect Your Information

I need to collect personal information about you and your health in order to provide you with the best possible care. When you request treatment and I agree to provide it, this forms a contract. You have the right to refuse to provide your information, but please be aware that I would then be unable to offer treatment.

I also have a “Legitimate Interest” in collecting this information — without it, I wouldn’t be able to work effectively, safely, or meet the professional and legal standards expected in clinical practice.

How I Use Your Information

Your contact details may be used to:

• Confirm or rearrange appointments
• Send updates related to your care

With your explicit consent, I may also contact you by email, text, or post with health-related information that supports your treatment or is relevant to your interests. This could include research articles, book recommendations, or nutrition tips. You can withdraw this consent at any time.

How Your Information Is Stored

• Acupuncture Treatment Records: Paper records made during acupuncture sessions (e.g., treatment notes and meridian charts) are securely stored in a locked filing cabinet, accessible only by me, Lucy Clarke.
• Acupuncture Intake Forms & Personal Information, as well as Nutrition & Functional Testing Records: These are stored securely within Practice Better — a GDPR-compliant, password-protected platform designed specifically for healthcare professionals.
• Email & Communications: Your contact details may be stored on my password- and fingerprint-protected work phone, used solely for professional purposes like appointment reminders.
• Social Media: My social media accounts (e.g. Instagram, Facebook) are password protected. However, due to the limited privacy of social platforms, please don’t send sensitive information via direct messages. Instead, email me at lucy@lucyclarke.co.uk.

Third Parties – Functional Testing & Supplements

If you are using functional testing or ordering professional supplements as part of your care, your name and address may need to be shared with the test provider or dispensary. This information is shared only with your explicit consent, and only where necessary to fulfil your request. I will always make clear when this applies.

How Long Your Data Is Retained

• Acupuncture records are kept for 7 years after your last appointment — or until age 25 for children and young people (whichever is later), in accordance with professional and insurance guidelines.
• After this time, personally identifying information is securely destroyed. General treatment notes or insights may be kept for practitioner development, but these are anonymised.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• See the personal data I hold about you
• Request corrections to any factual errors
• Withdraw consent (for non-essential communications)
• Ask for your records to be erased, provided the legal retention period has passed

External Links

My website may contain links to other websites. Please note that I have no control over the privacy practices of other sites. I recommend reading their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Who Has Access to Your Data

Your information is never shared with anyone who doesn’t need access to it, unless required by law or with your written consent. The only person who routinely has access to your data is me — Lucy Clarke — your practitioner.

Contact

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to exercise any of your data rights, please contact me directly:

Data Controller: Lucy Clarke
Email: lucy@lucyclarke.co.uk

If you feel your data has not been handled appropriately, you also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) via www.ico.org.uk.