Information & Privacy Security Policy Statement

Bracken Family Practice recognizes that through the day-to-day operation of its business, we have an impact on our internal and external environment. Also, we ensure that due consideration is given to the potential impact that Information & Privacy Security aspects may have on the operation of our core processes. As a result, Bracken Family Practice has established this Information & Privacy Security Policy Statement, to communicate awareness and understanding of data protection throughout the business.

Bracken Family Practice has implemented this policy statement to provide guidance to all interested parties on our approach to managing personal information throughout our organization, with full consideration for our obligation toward relevant data protection legislation, including EU-GDPR. The company management system has been developed to include appropriate measures determined by the ISO 27001.

Information & Privacy Security Leadership

Bracken Family Practice has appointed Dr John Ferguson to develop and implement company initiatives to help us achieve our Information & Privacy Security goals. Their role will also involve communicating Bracken Family Practice policies to all interested parties through the delivery of internal presentations and promoting awareness externally as appropriate. Information & Privacy Security aspects are considered at our management meetings.

While Bracken Family Practice ensures that all personnel consider process related Information & Privacy Security impacts, we also have identified the following aspects for particular attention:

  • Bracken Family Practice ensures that we meet relevant regulatory requirements and minimise any adverse Information & Privacy Security effects caused as a result of our activities:
  • That we raise awareness, provide knowledge and support to employees on Information & Privacy Security management;
  • Give training on the importance of protecting business and customer information throughout our business;
  • Promote an awareness of Information & Privacy Security objectives;
  • Regularly review our Information & Privacy Security practices and policy in accordance with the principles ISO 27001;
  • Establish performance objectives, targets and management programmes to achieve these.

Where appropriate, Bracken Family Practice has determined specific mechanisms to control how personal data is managed throughout operational and support processes, based on the following precepts with consideration for Article 5 of the GDPR directive (Principles relating to the processing of personal data):

  1. That personal information gathered is only done so for the legitimate purposes of our business, including where necessary, legal and regulatory purposes;
  2. Only the minimum amount of information necessary for effective operations is processed;
  3. Bracken Family Practice treats all information about children with the highest level of privacy and security.
  4. Bracken Family Practice ensures that we only process relevant and adequate personal information throughout operations;
  5. That personal information is processed in a fair and lawful manner;
  6. Bracken Family Practice maintains an inventory of categories of personal information processed by the organization.
  7. That all personal information is kept accurate and up-to-date;
  8. Bracken Family practice retains all patient information as active for a five year period.  After this  period of time the patient information is re catergorized as inactive.
  9. That in all circumstances, the rights of natural persons to their personal information is respected.
  10. Adequate resources have been allocated to ensuring that all personal information processed and stored by Bracken Family Practice is done so in a secure operational environment,
  11. That transferring personal information outside our national boundary is only done in circumstances where it can be adequately protected;
  12. Where we are providing our goods and services to EU citizens across national boundaries, Bracken Family Practice ensures that appropriate regulatory aspects are addressed;
  13. Bracken Family Practice does not currently carry out any operations where the application of the various exemptions allowable by data protection legislation is required;
  14. We have developed our management system to provide for the formal management of personal information, which provides for all measured documented herein;
  15. Bracken Family Practice has identified internal and external interested parties and the degree to which they are involved in the governance of the organization’s management system relevant to personal information;
  16. Dr John Ferguson has been appointed as management representatives for with specific responsibility and accountability for personal information within the management system.
  17. Changes of information are recorded throughout operations.

All risk assessments are carried out with the main objective being to manage the Confidentiality, Integrity & Availability of company information and systems.

Bracken Family Practice has implemented an Internal Audit Programme  to ensure the ongoing suitability, conformity and continual improvement of the management system is assured. The management system has the full support of all interested parties. All operational and support processes are within the scope of the management system. All personnel have been provided with a copy of this document, and it remains available in the Bracken Family Practice document system for further reference. This policy statement is also published to the company website www.brackenfamilypractice.ie