**Last Updated:** September 2026

Welcome to **ARC Health Coaching**. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data—especially your sensitive health information—with the utmost care, confidentiality, and respect.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our services or visit our website.

—

## 1. Important Information & Who We Are
**ARC Health Coaching** / Samantha Dingle is the data controller responsible for your personal data. If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
* **Contact Email:** sam@arc-healthcoaching.co.uk

—

## 2. The Data We Collect About You
Because we provide health coaching services, we collect both standard personal data and highly sensitive personal data (known as “Special Category Data” under data protection laws).

### Standard Personal Data
* **Identity Data:** Full name, date of birth.
* **Contact Data:** Email address, phone number, billing address.
* **Financial Data:** Bank details used for BACS payments. (Note: Tap card reader payments are processed securely by our third-party provider; we do not store your card details).

### Special Category (Sensitive Health) Data
* **Health and Medical Data:** Medical history, current symptoms, diagnoses, medications, lifestyle details, mental well-being, and notes taken during our coaching sessions.

—

## 3. How and Why We Use Your Health Data (Legal Basis)
We only process your health data when we have a clear legal justification to do so. Under data protection regulations, we rely on the following conditions:
1. **Explicit Consent:** By signing our coaching agreement and completing your intake forms, you give us explicit consent to process your health data to provide tailored coaching sessions.
2. **Provision of Health Care:** Processing is necessary for the provision of health or social care treatment or management.

—

## 4. Contacting Your General Practitioner (GP)
Your medical confidentiality is vital. We will **never** contact your GP or medical team without your knowledge and explicit consent, except in rare emergencies.

* **Routine Collaboration:** If we feel it is beneficial to update or consult your GP regarding your health coaching program, we will discuss this with you first and obtain your written authorization.
* **Emergency Situations:** In exceptional circumstances where we reasonably believe there is a serious, imminent risk to your life or the safety of others, we may contact emergency services or your GP without prior consent, as permitted by law.

—

## 5. Sharing Your Data
We do not sell your data. We only share your information with trusted third parties necessary to run our business:
* **Third-Party Mailers:** We use an external email service provider to send you newsletters, updates, and coaching resources. You can opt out of these at any time.
* **Payment Processors:** For in-person card payments, your data is securely handled by our tap card provider.
* **Medical Professionals:** As outlined in Section 4, strictly with your explicit consent or during a crisis emergency.

—

## 6. Data Security and Retention
We implement strict security measures to prevent your sensitive health data from being accidentally lost, altered, or accessed without authorization. Your digital records are stored securely, and physical notes (if any) are kept locked.

We only retain your health records for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected them for, or to comply with legal, accounting, or professional insurance reporting requirements.

—

## 7. Your Legal Rights
You have full rights over your data. You can request to:
* **Access** the personal and health data we hold about you.
* **Correct** any inaccurate or incomplete information.
* **Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”):** Request that we delete your data (subject to legal or insurance retention obligations).
* **Withdraw Consent:** You can withdraw your consent for us to process your health data or contact your GP at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at **sam@arc-healthcoaching.co.uk**.

—
*Disclaimer: This privacy policy is for informational purposes to help establish transparent data practices for ARC Health Coaching. For specific compliance with local health privacy legislation, you may wish to consult a legal professional.*