Privacy & Cookies Policy
Bluebell Veterinary Surgery, operated by Independent Pet Care Ltd
Last updated: 08.10.2025
1. Introduction
This policy applies to www.bluebellvets.co.uk (the “Website”) and explains how Independent Pet Care Ltd, trading as Bluebell Veterinary Surgery (“we”, “us”, “our”) handles personal information and cookies. We comply with UK GDPR and relevant data protection laws.
You can browse most of our Website without revealing your identity, but in certain places (e.g. registration forms) you will provide personal data.
2. How we collect personal information
We collect personal information in a few ways, including:
- When you fill in our online registration form, which is sent via email to us.
- When you contact us (via forms, email, telephone).
- Through the use of cookies and analytics tools (see section 7).
The types of personal information we may collect include:
- Your name
- Contact details (email, telephone number, postal address)
- Pet details (name, species, breed, age, medical history)
- Any additional information you supply
We do not intentionally collect “sensitive personal data” (e.g. race, religious beliefs, political opinions, criminal records). Please do not submit such information through our forms.
3. Use of cookies & website analytics
We use cookies to improve your experience and for analytics.
- Cookies are small files stored on your device which record information about how you use the site.
- We use analytics cookies (via third parties) to gather anonymised usage data — pages visited, device/browser type, IP addresses, etc.
- This data is not directly linked to personal identity.
You may disable or refuse cookies via your browser settings, though this may affect how parts of the Website function.
4. Why we collect and use your information
We use your information for purposes including:
- Registering you and your pets as clients
- Responding to enquiries
- Providing veterinary and healthcare services
- Managing appointments and medical records
- Meeting legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
- Sending reminders (e.g. vaccine reminders), if you consent
We do not use your data for marketing communications unless you have explicitly given consent.
5. Sharing your information
We may share personal information with third parties only where necessary for the provision of veterinary services or where required by law. Examples include:
- External laboratories
- Microchip databases
- Vaccine reminder/messaging services
- Insurance companies (if you request billing via insurance)
- Other veterinary or referral practices (if transferring care or seeking clinical history)
- Debt collection services (if needed)
Any external party we share with must adhere to GDPR/data protection obligations.
6. How we store and protect your data
- Your data and emails are stored securely.
- Only authorised personnel have access.
- Devices and systems are password protected and access is restricted.
- We ensure appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure.
By submitting personal data, you consent to its secure storage and processing as described here.
7. Retention of data
We retain personal and clinical records for periods required to meet professional and regulatory obligations. For example:
- Clinical records: 7 years after treatment (in line with RCVS / professional guidance).
- Other information: for as long as necessary to fulfil our services, to resolve disputes, to comply with legal requirements.
After those periods, data is either anonymised or securely deleted.
8. Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have rights over the personal data we hold about you:
- Access: request a copy of your data
- Rectification: ask us to correct inaccuracies
- Erasure: request deletion (where lawful)
- Restriction: request limits on how we process your data
- Objection: object to certain processing
- Data portability: request your data in machine-readable form
- Withdraw consent: if processing is based on consent
To exercise any rights, please contact us at [Insert contact email].
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
We will inform you of any personal data breach within 72 hours if required by law.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy & Cookies Policy from time to time. The latest version is always accessible via our Website.
10. Contact us
If you have questions or concerns about this policy or how we handle personal data, contact:
Bluebell Veterinary Surgery
Independent Pet Care Ltd
Email: info@bluebellvets.co.uk
Telephone: 02382512789
Address: 7 Manor Crescent, SO31 8DQ
If you remain unsatisfied, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) via www.ico.org.uk.
© Bluebell Veterinary Surgery / Independent Pet Care Ltd