Consent Form Information for Physiotherapy

1. Physiotherapy Treatment

You will receive treatment to improve your physical health, which may include:

• Exercise therapy to restore movement and strength.
• Manual therapy (joint mobilisations or massage).
• Therapeutic modalities (heat, cold, ultrasound, etc.).
• Education and advice on posture, lifestyle, and self-care.

You are free to ask questions and stop treatment at any time.

2. Use of Your Health Information

We will collect and use your health information to provide the best care for you. This may include:

• Personal details (name, contact, medical history).
• Assessment and treatment records.
• Results from tests or referrals.

Your information will be shared only when necessary, in line with UK GDPR, and stored securely. Your health records will be kept for at least 8 years (until you turn 25 if under 18) and securely deleted thereafter.

3. Communication with You

We may contact you by phone, text, or email for appointment reminders and updates. You can opt-out at any time.

4. Voice Recording for Staff Safety and Treatment Accuracy

In some cases, voice recording may be used for:

• Staff safety (e.g., history of threatening behaviour, aggression risk).
• Treatment clarity (e.g., significant language barriers, significant memory issues).
• Protection against complaints or legal reasons (e.g., in cases involving complex or legal matters where additional support may be necessary).

You will be informed and asked for verbal consent before recording. You can refuse without affecting your treatment. In certain situations, voice recordings may be made without consent if there is an immediate risk to staff safety (legitimate interest) or for safeguarding purposes, especially with vulnerable individuals (safeguarding provision). Voice recordings are stored securely and deleted after 8 years (or until you turn 25 if under 18) or until the matter is resolved or no longer necessary for legal purposes.

5. Your Rights

• Full understanding of your treatment and data use is important. You can ask questions at any time.
• Verbal consent is required before each session. You can withdraw consent at any time without affecting your care.

6. Consent for Different Age Groups

Adults (18+): Individuals aged 18 and above are considered adults with full legal capacity. They can provide consent for their physiotherapy treatment, and we process their health data under the lawful bases mentioned above. They have full rights to access, rectify, or request the erasure of their data, though legal requirements for health record retention will always take precedence over the right to erasure.

Young People (16-17): Individuals aged 16 and 17 are legally presumed to have the capacity to consent to their own medical treatment and the associated data processing. They hold the same data rights as adults. We must respect their confidentiality entirely and will only involve parents or guardians where appropriate, or with the young person's explicit consent.

Children (Under 16): For children under the age of 16, the rules vary depending on the context of data processing:

1. Clinical Data (Assessments and Medical Records):

• Consent for Treatment & Records: We rely on the child's "Gillick competence" (or Fraser competence) to determine their capacity to consent.

• Competent Children: If a physiotherapist assesses a child as having sufficient understanding to fully appreciate the proposed treatment and data implications, that child can provide their own valid consent. 

• Non-Competent Children: If the child is not deemed Gillick competent, then a person with parental responsibility must provide consent for the treatment and the associated data collection.

2. Online Services Data (e.g., website registration, online booking systems):

• For online services where we rely on user consent (e.g., signing up for a newsletter or using a specific patient portal), the UK GDPR sets the digital age of consent at 13 years old.
  • Children Aged 13-15: Can provide their own consent to use our online services.
  • Children Under 13: A parent or guardian’s verifiable consent is required before they can use these specific online services.

GoMove Physio may change its consent form information from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 1 December 2025.