Privacy Policy
This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we process it, how long we retain it, and how you can exercise your data rights for website, booking, account, and clinical support workflows.
1. Scope
This policy applies to data processed through our public website, booking tools, patient and clinician account functions, support channels, and related operational systems.
It covers both administrative and dermatology-related records used for delivering non-emergency tele-dermatology services.
2. Data controller details
OnlineDermatologist acts as the data controller for personal data processed for account management, booking, support, and direct care workflows. Data processor partners may be used for secure hosting, booking, and payment operations.
For privacy enquiries or rights requests, contact support through the Contact page and include your booking email and relevant references.
3. Data we collect
- Identity and account data: name, email, login details, account activity.
- Booking data: appointment date/time, service type, clinician linkage, references.
- Clinical data you provide: symptoms, photos, relevant history, allergies, medication details.
- Support and communication data: tickets, messages, and case updates.
- Technical/security data: IP/device/session logs where needed for platform protection.
4. Data sources
- Data submitted directly by you in forms, booking flow, and account area.
- Data generated from your appointment and account activity.
- Data created by clinicians/support staff during service delivery.
- Payment or booking status updates from integrated third-party systems.
5. Why we process data
We process personal data for clear operational and clinical purposes. Typical legal bases include contract, legal obligation, legitimate interests, and for health data, dermatology-related legal conditions where applicable.
| Purpose | Data type | Typical legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Deliver booking and consultation workflow | Identity, booking, communication data | Contract performance |
| Clinical assessment and treatment planning | Health and consultation data | Dermatology provision / legal dermatology condition |
| Billing, records, and legal compliance | Payment and audit records | Legal obligation |
| Security, fraud prevention, and service reliability | Technical and account activity data | Legitimate interests |
7. International transfers
Where service providers process data outside the UK, appropriate safeguards are used, such as adequacy-based transfers or contractual protections required by law.
8. Security measures
- Role-based access controls for patient, clinician, and admin functions.
- Secure authentication workflows and activity logging.
- Upload controls and secure storage practices for documents.
- Operational controls to reduce unauthorised access and misuse.
9. Retention periods
Data is retained only as long as needed for care delivery, legal obligations, dispute handling, and governance requirements. Retention periods differ by data type.
See our Data Retention Policy for full retention categories and timelines.
10. Your rights
Depending on applicable law, you may have rights to access, rectify, restrict, object, or request erasure/portability for eligible data.
- Submit requests via support with identity details for verification.
- Some requests may be limited by legal, clinical, or safety obligations.
- If dissatisfied with outcome, you may escalate through complaints routes.
12. Children and guardians
Where services involve minors, data handling may require parental/guardian involvement and additional verification depending on service context and applicable legal requirements.
13. Policy updates
This policy may be updated to reflect legal, technical, or service changes. The most recent version is always published on this page with an updated date.
14. Contact and complaints
For privacy questions, contact support with your booking/account email and request summary. If unresolved, follow the Complaints Policy and relevant supervisory authority routes where applicable.
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FAQs
This page explains key symptoms, likely clinical patterns, risk context, and safe next steps related to online dermatology care. It is designed to help patients understand what can usually be managed online and what needs escalation. It does not replace emergency in-person care when red-flag symptoms are present.
Book when symptoms are persistent, worsening, recurrent, or not responding to basic self-care. Early clinical review helps reduce delay-related complications and allows safer treatment decisions. You can start booking at https://onlinedermatologist.uk/book/.
Response times depend on dermatologist availability and case complexity, but many patients receive guidance promptly after review. Clear photos and complete history usually speed up decision-making. If treatment is appropriate, recommendations are provided with follow-up safety advice.
Prepare clear photos in good light, symptom start date, progression timeline, current medicines, allergies, and previous treatment response. Mention any chronic conditions, pregnancy status, or immune-risk factors where relevant. Better clinical input improves triage quality and treatment safety.
Many dermatology concerns can be triaged and managed online, but some cases need direct examination, dermoscopy, biopsy, or urgent referral. If online care is not clinically suitable, escalation advice is provided without delay. Safety-first escalation is part of routine clinical workflow.
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, involve breathing issues, chest symptoms, neurological signs, or systemic illness, seek urgent in-person care immediately. Do not wait for routine online review in emergency situations. For non-urgent support use https://onlinedermatologist.uk/contact/.
A standard consultation is the right choice for most common non-urgent skin concerns and routine treatment planning. A specialist consultation is better suited to more persistent, complex, or higher-risk concerns that may benefit from a deeper review, more tailored guidance, and a more advanced assessment pathway. If you want extra reassurance for a more complicated concern, the specialist option is the stronger choice.