Why we collect personally identifiable information

You can send queries to DSMIG by phone, letter, or email. In all cases, we will automatically keep a record of your name, job title, contact details and geographical area or postal address, together with details of your query and our response. All information collected by us will be treated as confidential and will be used to improve the content of our Web site, and to identify both frequently asked questions and unique requests so that we can continually improve our information service. It also makes it possible to contact you if new information becomes available. We may also use the information in the aggregate to study statistical results and produce summary reports. These reports may be shared with our partners and members but they will not disclose personally identifiable information.

If you are not willing for us to keep a personally identifiable record of your query please let us know at the time.

Further Use of Information

If you have contacted us by email and your address is held on our database, we will let you know of any major changes to the website in the future. We may email or telephone your query to doctors within the DSMIG network and if it is of a very specialist nature to specialist doctors elsewhere. Sometimes they may contact you direct or, more often, will route their response through Information Services personnel.

Disclosure

We will not disclose any of your personally identifiable information except when we have your permission or under special circumstances such as when we believe in good faith that the law requires disclosure.

Security Policy

Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet is guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, we make our best effort to ensure its security on our systems.

How We Store Information About Queries

We enter basic details on a dedicated secure database. We also keep more detailed hard copy where we record details of the enquiries we ourselves may have to make to answer specific queries. Hard copy records are stored on NHS premises in filing cabinets in a room which is always either locked or staffed.

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