Effective Date: March 13th, 2024
Information for Patients
Introduction
Please take the time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with othersif you wish.
What is the purpose of the program?
We can look after you best if we have up-to-date information about your vital signs. The purpose of the program is to allow us to see your vital signs without you having to go to the hospital or to your GP, so we can still give you the best care without you having to leave home. Remote monitoring is more convenient for you and cuts the risk of spreading an infection.
How will it work?
You will be given a box containing a mobile phone, a set of medical devices and instructions on how and when to use them. You just need to follow the instructions to measure your vital signs and send the information to us using the phone. There is a helpdesk you can call if you have any problems taking your measurements.
What sort of device will I be asked to use?
That will depend on your medical condition. We might ask you just to use a thermometer ora device that pops over your finger, perhaps a few times a day, or we might ask you to wear an armband or a special adhesive patch.
Will my information be kept secure?
Yes. The information collected by the measuring devices will be anonymised and will be sent over the mobile phone network in an encrypted form. Nothing that could identify you will be sent.
If I agree to take part, what will happen?
If you agree to take part, we will ask you to sign a consent form.
Once you have signed the form, we will lend you a kit with the mobile phone and medical devices. Doccla will call you and explain exactly what you need to do with it.
When you no longer need to be monitored, we will be in touch to arrange to collect the kit and to ask you a short set of questions about your feedback.
Following your discharge from the program, we may send you an optional post-discharge survey via SMS to gather feedback about your experience. This will include a link to a survey where you can share your thoughts. Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary, and your feedback will help us improve our service.
Additionally, we will send you a link to arrange the return of your monitoring equipment via an online portal. You will have the opportunity to schedule a convenient time for the collection of the equipment.
Do I have to take part?
No, it is entirely up to you to decide whether you want to take part in the program.
What would happen if I don’t want to carry on with program?
You can withdraw from the program at any time.
Will I be responsible for the device and the phone while I am using them?
We would like you to take reasonable care of the phone and the kit, but if they are lost or damaged we won’t hold you responsible and you won’t have to compensate us in any way.
Are there any risks involved?
The risks involved are minimal. The program is meant to improve your treatment. It’s important to note, that this is not an emergency service. If you feel unwell you should still call 111 or 999 as normal.
What if something goes wrong or if I have a complaint?
If you have any practical problems or questions about your participation in the program you can contact the Doccla Customer Services Team for help.
If you wish to complain about any aspect of the way in which you have been approached or treated, you should contact the Doccla Customer Service Team.
What types of information will you collect?
We will collect information about your vital signs. The details will depend on your medical condition, but might include, for example:
Location data
The DocclaApp collects location data to enable connecting with nearby Bluetooth devices, even when the app is closed or not in use.
How will my medical information be used?
Medical staff will look at the information to monitor your condition and decide if your treatment needs to be changed.
What is patient information?
When you goto your GP or hospital, the doctors and others looking after you will record information about your health. This will include your health problems, and the tests and treatment you have had. They might want to know about family history, if you smoke or what work you do. All this information that is recorded about you is called patient information.
When information about your health care joins together with information that can show who you are (like your name or NHS number) it is called identifiable patient information. It’s important to all of us that this identifiable patient information is kept confidential to the patient and the people who need to know relevant bits of that information to look after the patient. There are special rules to keep confidential patient information safe and secure.
How will my patient information be used?
Your care team might look at your medical history and ask your questions to see if you are suitable for taking part in the program.
During the program your care team and Doccla team will have access to your contact details in case they need to get in touch with you, but those details will be kept separate from any medical information about you.
The data you input in the mobile phone will be sent over the mobile phone network to a secure database. The information will be linked to a code number that only your care team can connect to you.
Your care team will adapt your treatment based on the data.
After discharge, we may use your contact details to send you a link to a survey for optional feedback or to arrange the collection of your equipment via an online scheduling system. These activities are designed to improve our services and facilitate the return of monitoring equipment.
Where will the information that relates to me be held?
The information relating to you will be held in the UK on a secure computer system that is approved for storing health-related information.
The program will treat your information very carefully, according to high standards that are set out for your protection in the General Data Protection Regulations(GDPR).
More details on how our use of your information will comply with GDPR can be seen here: PrivacyPolicy.
More details on how we safeguard your patient data can be seen here: Patient Data Privacy Policy.
Who can I contact if I have a complaint?
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, our data processing practices, or your data subject rights, please contact us at:
By email: dpo@doccla.com
By mail: Doccla Limited, 184 Shepherds Bush Rd, Hammersmith, London, England,W6 7NL
If you are not happy with their response or believe they are processing your information in a way that is not right or lawful, you can complain to the InformationCommissioner’s Office (ICO) (www.ico.org.uk or 0303 123 1113).