Dear Member

Re: GDPR

The British and Irish Orthoptic Society are mindful of the new legislation that will come into force on the 25th May this year and are informing members of their rights surrounding their personal data that BIOS holds or will hold.

What does this mean?

The BIOS will be known as the ‘controller’ of the personal data that you provide to us. We collect personal data which includes work force data, preferred contact details and bank details for the collection of direct debits or event payments made personally.

Why we need your data?

We need your personal data so that we can provide you with important membership updates, updates from BIOS, the Pay Review Body, Policies from the Government of your country, Education and professional development from the regulators of your country.

What we do with your data?

We will ensure that all your data is held on a secure network and an encrypted database. We will not supply your personal data to a third party unless we have specifically asked your permission. As a membership organisation our lawful basis for processing your data is known as the Legitimate Interests Basis. This means we establish a legitimate interest in processing your information, as without doing so we cannot offer you BIOS and BOSTU membership.

What are your rights?

You will be able to review and update your personal data at any time on the new and GDPR compliant BIOS website. We hope to have this live in the next few weeks. You will also able to complain to the Information Commissioners Office if you do not receive information from the Society when you have consented to receive information.

What do I have to do now?

Nothing - We will inform you when we have your details ready to review and you will have an opt in consent for us to contact you on behalf of BIOS. If you do not consent you will no longer receive any information from the BIOS including membership and insurance details.

Who do I contact for further information or help?

You can contact your local BOSTU Trade Union Representative or your Regional / country Trustee. The BOSTU Advisor Lesley Anne Baxter (lesleyanne.baxter@orthoptics-bios.com) is happy to provide more information on GDPR to members.

Yours sincerely

Chair

BIOS and BOSTU