We help GPs and other NHS providers with our software. It lets them contact patients in different ways, such as via text or email.
Understandably, it can be worrying when you receive an message from a third-party provider without understand the 'why' or the 'how'.
However, we want to provide you with assurance that we take privacy and security of your information very seriously here at Accurx.
We are a listed company under NHS Digital which can be found here and information about our Security & Privacy policies for patients here.
We have listed some common issues that patients come to us regarding their data. 👇
Subject Access Requests
It's important to note that Accurx are Data Processors and your primary healthcare provider (Eg. Your GP Practice) are the Data Controllers.
What does this mean? 🤷
A Data Controller has overall control over the way your data is processed. Data Controllers take on the highest level of compliance within UK GDPR.
A Data Processor acts under the instruction of the relevant Data Controller. Data Processors do not have the same obligations as controllers under UK GDPR.
What about you?
As an individual, you have a right to obtain the following information (but not limited to) from the Data Controller:
Confirmation that your personal data is being processed,
a copy of your personal data,
other supplementary information.
What should you do?
To request the information that is held on you, you will need to contact your primary healthcare provider such as your GP Practice.
Permission
"I did not give you my consent to send me text messages!"
"Who gave you permission to access my data?!"
"Please delete my details from your database. I did not give you my consent to use these!"
Your GP Practice who is the data controller has instructed us to process your data. They do not need your permission to do this. However, you can request to stop receiving correspondence through Accurx by contacting your GP Practice.
How to tell if the SMS message you have been sent is legitimate
We understand that are plenty of harmful threats to your personal details. Accurx is a trusted third-party provider for the NHS.
We are used by over 90% of primary and secondary healthcare providers across the UK so the healthcare sector is very familiar with our name!
We will always send you an SMS message from the following:
accurx.thirdparty.nhs.uk
florey.accurx.com
accurx.whereby.com
If you have been sent an SMS from a link that claims to be either Accurx and your GP practice but does not look like one of the above links then please do delete this.
Stop SMS Messages
If you are receiving SMS messages regarding the coronavirus vaccine and would like these to stop then you can do this yourself by clicking on the link provided in the text, entering your date of birth and selecting, 'Decline'.
This will prevent any future SMS messages regarding the coronavirus vaccine from being sent to you.
For any other SMS messages that are not in relation to the coronavirus vaccine, you can request that these be stopped by contacting your registered GP practice who can add a 'non-consent code to your medical record.
However, this will not stop your GP practice from contacting you via other third-party apps and, it will not stop them from contacting you for important health-related matters via SMS, phone, email, or written letter.
Incorrect Phone Number
If you have received an SMS message that was addressed to another patient then this is most likely due to the GP practice having an error on your medical record.
You will need to contact them as soon as possible to alert them to this so they can rectify this.