CCTV Policy

Closed circuit television (CCTV) is installed at the Practice premises for the purposes of patient, staff and premises security. Cameras are in the reception, lobby and surgery one and external area of the premises.

The use of CCTV falls within the scope of the Data Protection Act 1998 (“the 1998 Act”). This code of practice follows the recommendations issued by the Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with powers under Section 51 (3)(b) of the 1998 Act.

To comply with the requirements of the 1998 Act, data must be:

· Fairly and lawfully processed

· Processed for limited purposes and not in any manner incompatible with those purposes

· Adequate, relevant and not excessive

· Accurate

· Not kept for longer than is necessary

· Processed in accordance with individuals’ rights

· Secure

IN SUMMARY

1. CCTV is in place in the reception of the premises.

2. CCTV has been installed solely for the safety and security of our patients, staff and premises.

3. Images are captured 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are processed via our CCTV capturing devices. These devices are securely protected and only the owner of the practice have access to the equipment. The owner regularly checks that the CCTV devices are working as intended.

4. The CCTV only captures images and does not record audio.

5. All specific CCTV recordings are stored in a secure cloud-based storage for a maximum of seven days before being wiped.

6. Signs informing visitors that CCTV is in place can be found at reception of the premises.

7. We inform visitors to our website that CCTV will be in operation.

8. The recording devices have the capability of transferring data to an external cloud-based storage for cooperation with the relevant authorities. We only ever do this where there is cause to believe the safety and security of patients/staff has been compromised. We do not ever share images with other third parties.

9. Visitors to the practice have the right to request to see images of themselves on CCTV as part of a Data Protection request. Like all Data Protection requests, this request must be made in writing and the same exceptions apply. We charge an administration fee of £15 for this. We will also require information that will allow us to identify the visitor and the date/time of the visit.

10. We have followed the CCTV guidelines produced by the Information Commissioners’ Office, https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/ throughout.

Data protection statement

11. Dr Sameh Ashour is the Data Controller under Section 4(4) of the Act.

12. CCTV is installed for the purpose of staff, patient and premises security.

13. Use of images, including the provision of images to a third party, will be in accordance with the Practice’s Data Protection registration.

14. Signage is displayed at the premises and on the practice website stating of the presence of CCTV and indicating the names of the Data Controller and a contact number during office hours for enquiries.

15. Retention of images

16. Images from cameras are NOT recorded on disc/computer system (“the recordings”). Recordings are made and retained for the purposes of security of staff, patient and premises, these will be held in secure storage, and access controlled. Recordings will not be retained for longer than seven days.

17. Access to images

18. It is important that access to, and disclosure of, images recorded by CCTV and similar surveillance equipment is restricted and carefully controlled, not only to ensure that the rights of individuals are preserved, but also to ensure that the chain of evidence remains intact should the images be required for evidential purposes.

19. Access to images by practice staff

20. Access to recorded images is restricted to the owner of Palcare dental practice who will decide whether to allow requests for access by Data Subjects and/or third parties (see below).

21. Viewing of images must be documented as follows:

a. The name of the person removing from secure storage, or otherwise accessing, the recordings

b. The date and time of removal of the recordings

c. The name(s) of the person(s) viewing the images (including the names and organisations of any third parties)

d. The reason for the viewing

e. The outcome, if any, of the viewing

f. The date and time of replacement of the recordings

g. Removal of images for use in legal proceedings

h. In cases where recordings are removed from secure storage for use in legal proceedings, the following must be documented:

i. The name of the person removing from secure storage, or otherwise accessing, the recordings

j. The date and time of removal of the recordings

k. The reason for removal

l. Any crime incident number to which the images may be relevant

m. The place to which the recordings will be taken

n. The signature of the collecting police officer, where appropriate

o. The date and time of replacement into secure storage of the recordings

p. Access to images by third parties

q. Requests for access to images will be made in writing, accompanied by a £15 fee (which is non-refundable if the request is declined).

r. The Data Controllers of Palcare Dental Practice will assess applications and decide whether the requested access will be permitted. Disclosure of recorded images to third parties will only be made in limited and prescribed circumstances. For example, in cases of the prevention and detection of crime, disclosure to third parties will be limited to the following:

s. Law enforcement agencies where the images recorded would assist in a specific criminal enquiry

t. Prosecution agencies

u. Relevant legal representatives

v. The Press/Media, where it is decided that the public’s assistance is needed to assist in the identification of victim, witness or perpetrator in relation to a criminal incident. As part of that decision, the wishes of the victim of an incident should be considered

w. People whose images have been recorded and retained (unless disclosure to the individual would prejudice criminal enquiries or criminal proceedings) All requests for access or for disclosure should be recorded. If access or disclosure is denied, the reason should be documented as above.

x. Access by data subjects

y. This is a right of access, which is provided by section 7 of the 1998 Act. Requests for access to images will be made in writing, accompanied by a £15 fee (non-refundable if the request is declined).

z. Individuals should also be provided with the CCTV Policy and Code of Practice which describes the type of images which are recorded and retained, the purposes for which those images are recorded and retained, and information about the disclosure policy in relation to those images.

aa. Procedures for dealing with an access request

bb. All requests for access by Data Subjects will be dealt with by Dr Sameh Ashour

cc. The Data Controller will locate the images requested. The Data Controller will determine whether disclosure to the Data Subject would entail disclosing images of third parties.

dd. The Data Controller will need to determine whether the images of third parties are held under a duty of confidence. In all circumstances the Practice’s indemnity insurers will be asked to advise on the desirability of releasing any information.

ee. If third party images are not to be disclosed, the Data Controllers will arrange for the third- party images to be disguised or blurred. If the CCTV system does not have the facilities to carry out that type of editing, an editing company may need to be used to carry it out. If an editing company is used, then the Data Controllers must ensure that there is a contractual relationship between them and the editing company, and.

ff. That the editing company has given appropriate guarantees regarding the security measures they take in relation to the images

gg. The written contract makes it explicit that the editing company can only use the images in accordance with the instructions of the Data Controllers

hh. The written contract makes the security guarantees provided by the editing company explicit

Dr Sameh Ashour will provide a written response to the Data Subject within 21 days of receiving the request setting out the Data Controller’s decision on the request.

A copy of the request and response should be retained.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints must be in writing and addressed to the practice owner. Where the complainant is a third party, and the complaint or enquiry relates to someone else, the written consent of the patient or Data Subject is required. All complaints will be acknowledged within 7 days, and a written response issued within 21 days.