Privacy Policy – Direct Weight Loss
- Overview of Information We Collect
When you visit or use our website, you are not legally obligated to provide any personal details. However, we do require certain information when you request services, register an account, complete an online consultation, or purchase products. This helps us provide safe, efficient, and personalised services.
1.1 Information You Actively Provide
We may gather personal data when you:
- Enquire about our products or services
- Complete an online consultation
- Make purchases of medicines, products, or services
- Supply products or services to us
- Browse or interact with our website
- Contact us via phone, email, text, or post
- Apply for employment opportunities
This data may include:
- Identification details (full name, title, date of birth, gender, marital status)
- Contact details (address, phone numbers, email)
- Health-related information (current health, medical history, medications, treatments)
- Communication history through our patient or customer portals
- Purchase history
- Payment information (handled securely by our payment provider)
- Preferences, survey responses, and feedback
Special care is taken with sensitive health information (“special categories”), which we only retain for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you interact with our website, we collect certain information automatically using cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience and analyse website use. This may include:
- Pages you visit and links you click
- IP address and general location
- Device and browser details
- Login credentials
- Unique device identifiers for fraud prevention
- Website usage statistics
You must be 18+ to use our services. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
1.3 Cookies
What are cookies?
Cookies are small files placed on your device to help websites operate efficiently and provide a personalised experience. They also enable relevant advertising and track website performance.
How we use cookies:
- Essential cookies – Required for site functionality and services you request.
- Functionality cookies – Remember your preferences and personalise content.
- Performance/Analytical cookies – Analyse website traffic and improve user experience.
- Advertising/Targeting cookies – Deliver relevant ads and limit repeated exposure.
Third-party services, including Google and Facebook, may also set cookies when you interact with our content. You can adjust cookie settings in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge, IE), though disabling some may reduce website functionality. For more info, visit allaboutcookies.org.
- How We Use Your Information
We process your personal data in compliance with data protection law. Our uses include:
2.1 Account Management
When you create a patient account, we use your information to manage your account, facilitate purchases, and communicate with you. You may request account closure at any time, but legal retention requirements may still apply.
2.2 Online Consultations
Information from online clinical questionnaires helps our registered prescribers make safe, personalised treatment decisions. This may include:
- Health status
- Medical history
- Current medications and treatments
- Determining correct dosages and treatment plans
2.3 Product and Service Fulfilment
We use your personal data to:
- Process orders and payments
- Verify your identity
- Deliver products securely
- Notify you about repeat prescriptions or test results
- Respond to complaints
- Provide updates about our products or services
2.4 Marketing and Research
Where you consent, we may:
- Inform you about relevant products and services
- Invite you to participate in surveys or market research
- Contact you about similar products based on previous purchases
You can update preferences or opt out at any time.
2.5 Improving Our Services
We may analyse anonymised data to:
- Improve website functionality and user experience
- Enhance products and services
- Conduct research and statistical analyses
2.6 Communication
We use your contact information to respond to queries, provide order updates, or alert you about important changes. Communication channels include email, SMS, phone, and patient portal messaging.
2.7 Legal Compliance and Safety
We may use your information to:
- Verify identity and prevent fraud
- Protect customers, staff, and the public
- Meet legal obligations
- Sharing Your Information
3.1 Within Our Organisation
Your information may be accessed by:
- Our registered pharmacy prescribers
- Clinical leads overseeing treatment
- Customer service teams
- Employees of our parent company handling operations
3.2 Third Parties
We may share information with:
- Payment providers
- Identity verification services
- Courier companies
- Healthcare professionals (with your consent)
- Laboratories processing tests
- Regulatory auditors and bodies
- Marketing and communication service providers
Exceptional disclosures may occur for legal compliance, safety, fraud prevention, or business transactions.
- Data Retention
We only keep personal data as long as necessary. Retention periods vary depending on service type:
- Patient records: 13 years (adults), 25 years (pregnancy-related)
- Other interactions: up to 3 years
After retention periods, data is securely deleted unless legal or business reasons require otherwise.
- Data Security
We take all reasonable steps to secure your personal data, including:
- Secure website connections (HTTPS)
- Encrypted data transfer
- Secure storage on protected servers
- Password protection for patient accounts
Transmission over the internet carries some risk, so caution is advised.
- Your Rights
You have the following rights under data protection law:
- Access – Request a copy of your personal data.
- Correction – Rectify inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Erasure – Request deletion under certain conditions.
- Data Portability – Receive your data in a common, machine-readable format.
- Object to Marketing – Opt out of direct marketing.
- Restrict Processing – Limit how we use your data in specific situations.
- Withdraw Consent – Revoke any previously granted consent.
- Automated Decision Rights – Request human review if automated profiling affects you.
To exercise these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer.
- Policy Updates
Any changes to this policy will be posted here and, if necessary, communicated via email. Last updated: 30/10/2025.
- Complaints
If you have concerns about our handling of personal data, contact us first. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
- Contact Us
Data Protection Officer: Anna Fenech
Address: Unit 17 Tweed Horizons Newtown St Boswells Melrose TD6 0SG
Website Enquiries: contact@directweightloss.co.uk
Phone: 03335771775