Cookie Policy

Community First Privacy Statement

These days we’re all aware of the importance of keeping our personal information safe. As Community Co-ordinators we appreciate that when you share your personal information with us, you trust us to look after it. So, we’ve produced this Privacy Statement which provides information about the different ways we use and store your personal information and data.

What is personal information and data?

This is information that identifies you. It includes things like your name, address, date of birth and postcode and health data.

What are Community Co-ordinators?

A Community Co-ordinator is part of the Access and Rehabilitation Service.  Community Co-ordinators are not nurses, or doctors but work closely with these members of the Physiotherapist & Occupational Therapist team to help you to improve your health and wellbeing. We are employed by a third sector organisation (Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL). 

• We can spend time with you to talk about what really matters to you.

• We can help you to identify any problems or issues you are experiencing.

• We can support you to set goals and work with you to achieve these.

• We keep up to date with what is happening locally so we can tell you about new services and supports.

• We can go with you to visit these services. 

If you would like to be referred to a Community Co-ordinator, ask your Physio or Occupational Therapist. They will explain how you make an appointment. A Community Co-ordinator can see you whilst you are in hospital, or at home.

Our employer, Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) is responsible for ensuring we keep your personal information and data safe and use it appropriately. Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) has agreements with East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (which funds the service) to ensure that we only access the health information about you that we need.

How we protect your personal information

• We take care to make sure your personal information is not given to any unauthorised people. It will only be available to those directly involved in your care. This is known as the ‘need to know’ principle.

• Community Co-ordinators have a duty to keep your personal information secure and to handle confidential information safely.

• Our use of your personal health information is covered by a duty of confidentiality and is regulated by Data Protection legislation. This gives you several rights in relation to how your personal information is used, including a right to see the information we hold about you.

• Your personal information is protected by Data Protection legislation. Under the legislation, we must tell the Office of the Information Commissioner how we use personal information. You can see a copy of this on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.ico.org.uk. 

How the Community Co-ordinator uses and shares personal information

• To provide you with the assistance and support you need, we may need to access relevant details of health conditions, kept by the team involved in your care and treatment.

• We may also keep a separate secure and confidential detailed record about you. If appropriate, a summary may be shared with the practice and/or another organisation on a ‘need to know’ basis.

• We may disclose your name, address and phone number to other organisations involved in your support. For example, we may refer you to a specialist advice service and send your contact details in the referral letter.

• If we have any concerns about you or another person’s safety based on information you share, we would be required to report this to relevant organisations.

• Sometimes we may participate in studies to improve the way services are provided to you or to check that our performance meets required standards. Whenever we take part in studies, we will ensure that any details that may identify you are not disclosed. If these studies involve you personally, we will ask you for your consent.  

You have a choice, about whether the Community First is allowed to access, collect and share with personal information with others about you.

For more information about how your information is used please contact:

Information Governance Officer, Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL), High Street, Tranent, EH33 1HH