Privacy Policy

Cheshire Local Optical Committee (Cheshire LOC)

Cheshire Local Optical Committee (“Cheshire LOC”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your personal data and being transparent about how we collect and use it. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Controller

The Data Controller is Cheshire Local Optical Committee.

Contact details:
Email: admin@cheshireloc.co.uk
Telephone: 07853 588249

If you have any questions about this policy or how your data is handled, please contact us using the details above.

What personal data we collect

We may collect and process the following personal data:

1. Contact and professional details

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Telephone number

  • Professional identifiers (such as GOC / DO number)

  • Relevant qualifications

2. Contact form submissions

When you contact us via the website, we collect the information you provide in the form so that we can respond to your enquiry.

3. Committee member information

We publish and store limited personal data relating to Cheshire LOC committee members, such as:

  • Name

  • Role within the committee

  • Professional background

  • Contact details (where appropriate and agreed)

This information is published for transparency and professional engagement purposes.

How we use your personal data

We use personal data to:

  • Communicate with optical contractors, performers, and stakeholders

  • Share guidance, updates, and information relevant to community optometry

  • Support the development and delivery of community eye care services across Cheshire

  • Respond to enquiries submitted via our website

  • Maintain accurate records of committee membership and governance

Cheshire LOC does not provide clinical care and does not process personal data for the direct provision of healthcare services.

Lawful basis for processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases:

  • Legitimate interests – to communicate with optical professionals and stakeholders, support the work of community optometry, and operate effectively as a Local Optical Committee

  • Consent – where you voluntarily submit information via a contact form

  • Legal obligation – where we are required to retain information by law or regulation

We will not sell, rent, or trade personal data, and we do not use personal data for commercial marketing.

Data sharing

We may share personal data only where necessary and appropriate, for example with:

  • Local Optical Committees Support Unit (LOCSU)

  • NHS or Integrated Care Board (ICB) contacts

  • Website, email, or IT service providers who support our operations

Any third parties we work with are required to handle personal data securely and lawfully.

Data retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy.

  • Mailing list and contact details are retained while they remain relevant and up to date

  • Contact form submissions are retained only as long as needed to respond and for record-keeping

  • Committee member information is reviewed regularly and updated or removed as roles change

Your data protection rights

You have rights in relation to your personal data, including:

  • The right to be informed – how we use your data

  • The right of access – to request a copy of the data we hold about you

  • The right to rectification – to correct inaccurate or incomplete data

  • The right to erasure – to request deletion of your data where there is no compelling reason to retain it

  • The right to object – to processing based on legitimate interests

  • The right to restrict processing in certain circumstances

We will respond to valid requests within one month.

Cookies and website analytics

Our website uses cookies to ensure it functions correctly and to help us understand how visitors use the site.

Cookies may include:

  • Essential cookies required for the website to operate

  • Google Analytics cookies to collect anonymised usage statistics

  • Cookie consent tools to record your preferences

You can manage or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time. More information is available in our Cookie Policy.

We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and update it as necessary.

Last updated: 2025