Privacy policy.
How the private practice handles information when you use this website or contact us about an appointment.
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026. This notice explains our intended approach to website enquiries and private-practice administration. Details of clinical records, systems and providers must be confirmed before this website goes live.
Who is responsible for your information?
For enquiries made to this private practice, the organisation responsible for determining how personal information is used is Dr Stephen Ward Limited, company number 12713856, registered office: Rex Buildings, Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1HY. For privacy enquiries, contact office@drstephenward.com or call 07734 852665.
Where care involves a hospital, diagnostic provider or insurer, that organisation may also act as a separate controller of information it handles. Its own privacy notice will apply.
Information we may receive
If you contact us, we may receive your name, contact details, appointment preferences, referral information and any information you choose to provide. If you become a patient, clinical and administrative records may also be created as part of your care. Information about health is particularly sensitive and receives additional protection under UK data protection law.
Why information is used
We use relevant information to respond to enquiries, arrange consultations and investigations, provide or coordinate clinical care, manage billing and insurance administration, maintain appropriate records and meet legal or professional obligations. The lawful basis depends on the activity: it may include taking steps at your request before entering into a contract, performing a contract, complying with a legal obligation, or legitimate interests where appropriate. Processing health information additionally requires a valid condition under Article 9 UK GDPR, which may include medical diagnosis and the provision or management of healthcare, subject to applicable safeguards.
Sharing information
Where appropriate, information may be shared securely with professionals and organisations involved in your care, such as your GP, hospitals, diagnostic services, insurers or other clinicians, and with necessary administrative or technology providers operating under appropriate arrangements. We do not sell patient information. Disclosures may also be required by law or to protect someone from serious harm.
Contacting us securely
The enquiry button on this website opens your own email application; the website does not currently provide a secure clinical messaging form. Please do not send detailed medical histories, scans or other sensitive health information by ordinary email. Telephone the practice to discuss an appropriate secure route for clinical documents. This website is not an emergency service.
How long information is kept
Information is retained only as long as necessary for the relevant purpose and in line with applicable legal, professional and clinical-record retention requirements. Retention periods differ for routine enquiries, accounting records and clinical records.
Security and international services
We take appropriate steps to protect personal information and limit access to those who need it. Website hosting and external services may process limited technical information such as IP addresses and browser information. Where personal data is transferred outside the UK, applicable UK data-protection transfer safeguards must be considered.
Website services and cookies
This website is hosted by Netlify and uses Google Fonts. The contact page embeds a Google Maps view, which may allow Google to receive technical information when the map loads. The site does not currently include a practice-operated advertising or analytics tracker or a patient enquiry form. If analytics or optional cookies are introduced, this notice and any required consent controls will be updated. See Google's privacy policy and Netlify's privacy policy.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to access your personal information, correct inaccurate information, request erasure or restriction, object to certain processing, and request portability. You may also have the right to withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis. Some rights are subject to exceptions, including clinical-record and legal retention duties. Contact the practice using the details above to make a request.
If you are unhappy with our response, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Updates
This notice may be updated to reflect changes in the practice, the website or legal requirements. The date at the top will be revised when changes are made.