Privacy Notice

1. Who we are

This website is operated by Dr Shoaib Arshad, Consultant Orthopaedic Hand & Wrist Surgeon (GMC 6104141), who is the data controller for personal information collected through it. You can contact us at info@handsurgerydoc.com or +44 7443 213645.

If you are seen at The Highfield Hospital, the hospital also holds records about your care as a separate data controller under its own privacy notice.

2. What we collect

The website does not store enquiry forms on its server. When you use the enquiry form, the details are assembled in your own browser and sent only when you choose to send them by WhatsApp or email. An enquiry may include:

• your name, phone number and (optionally) email address;
• your preferred contact method and appointment location;
• the general area affected, whether it is a recent injury and roughly how long it has been a problem;
• any brief note you choose to add.

Like most websites, the hosting server keeps standard technical logs (such as IP address, browser type and pages requested) for security and to keep the site running.

3. How we use it

We use enquiry details to respond to you, answer practical questions and arrange an appointment. Our lawful basis is taking steps at your request before providing care, and our legitimate interest in responding to enquiries. We do not use your details for marketing and we never sell them.

4. Health information

Please do not send detailed medical information, reports or images through the website form, WhatsApp or ordinary email. The team will tell you how to provide these securely if they are needed. Where limited health information is included in an enquiry, it is used only to arrange appropriate care, under the UK GDPR condition for the provision of health care.

5. Who we share it with

Enquiry details are seen only by Dr Arshad and the team handling appointments, and shared with The Highfield Hospital where needed to book your appointment. If you choose WhatsApp or email, those services (for example WhatsApp, operated by Meta) process the message under their own terms and may store data outside the UK.

6. How long we keep it

Enquiries that do not lead to an appointment are deleted once they are no longer needed to deal with your query. If you become a patient, information forms part of your medical record and is kept in line with UK medical records retention guidance.

7. Your rights

You can ask to access, correct or delete your information, restrict or object to how it is used, or ask for a copy to be transferred. Contact us using the details above. If you are unhappy with how your information has been handled, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.

8. Cookies

This website does not use analytics, advertising or tracking cookies, and it does not set its own cookies. Two things can involve third parties, and only when you choose them:

• Maps — Google Maps is only loaded when you press “Load map” or open a map. Google may then set cookies under its own policy.
• WhatsApp and email links — these open an external service or your email app.

If analytics are added in future, we will ask for your consent first and update this notice.

9. Contact

Questions about this notice or your information: info@handsurgerydoc.com.