Cookie Policy

Terms and conditions for the use of this website 

On 26th May 201, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) imposed an EU directive designed to protect internet users' privacy.

The law says that sites must provide "clear and comprehensive" information about the use of cookies. 

Privacy policy

We are committed to respecting the privacy of individuals using this website. The site does use cookies to track or log information about users. We also analyse the server log files which contain details of the internet address (IP address) of computers using the site, pages looked at, the times of day and the type of web browser used. None of this information is linked to individuals. If users provide us with information or feedback, this is treated in the strictest confidence.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of information placed on the user’s hard drive as a text file by a web server when a user visits any given website. It contains simple information about the user (for example browser version) but no personal information.

While several types of cookies exist, the Health Research Authority website only uses session cookies and persistent cookies and does so in order to improve the content and structure of the site. A session cookie is transient and exists in temporary memory while the user is navigating a website. Session cookies are normally destroyed when the browser is closed.  A persistent cookie usually remains on the hard drive after the browser has been closed.

The cookies used on the Trust’s website are:

Site Analytics Session Cookie

These cookies allow us to understand how often users visit our site, how long they spend there, and the pages they interact with. We do not record any information that will uniquely identify you. Instead we put together the information from a very large number of users of our website to give us an overall picture of how people visit our site. This cookie will be deleted when you close your browser.

Name of Cookie: __utmc

Issuer: Google Analytics

Site Analytics Persistent Cookie

These cookies allow us to understand how often users visit our site, how long they spend there, and the pages they interact with. We do not record any information that will uniquely identify you. Instead we put together the information from a very large number of users of our website to give us an overall picture of how people visit our site.

Name of Cookies: __utma, __utmb, __utmz

Issuer: Google Analytics

Opting Out of Cookies

It is possible to set your browser to reject some or all cookies. The Trust does not recommend changing your browser’s cookie settings, but if you decide to do so you will be able to find details of how to change your cookie settings in your chosen browser’s help file.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites you will need to download a browser add-on.

Forms

Any information submitted through forms on the website will be dealt with by us in accordance with data protection legislation. Read more about our Freedom of Information and Data Protection Policies. Emails are not encrypted before being sent to us and as the internet is not always totally secure, users send the information at their own risk.

Website Disclaimer

The Trust expects and sets standards based on established best practice, ethics and management and expects those standards to be followed. In accordance with its statutory responsibilities to both patients and the public, the Trust will make reasonable enquiries of researchers, research sponsors and others to ensure those standards are demonstrably met.
Those involved in research that falls within the remit of the Trust are expected (this should not be taken to mean that there is a legal requirement) to meet those standards and respond to Trust enquiries in that respect.

The Trust will use the terms ‘requirement’ or ‘must’ to demonstrate the legally compelling nature of an instruction and ‘expectation’ or ‘should’ where the instruction is based on standards that fall short of a legal requirement (and those legal requirements include specific Research Ethics Committee conditions), for example, because the Trust considers it to be best practice or there is an ethical obligation. The Trust is currently reviewing all its website material to ensure greater consistency in current documentation in the use of language in conveying standards that the Trust expects should be followed (ethical obligations or best practice) or must be followed (legal requirements).

The Trust website material is a statement of the Trust’s understanding. Whilst the reader is encouraged to seek further clarification from Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in respect of any queries, it will be for the reader to take their own legal advice as to what their legal duties are.

Copyright

© Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The material featured on this website is subject to Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust copyright protection unless otherwise stated and may be reproduced free of charge (excluding photos and our logo) in any format or medium for research or private study, subject to the material being reproduced accurately and not being used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The material must not be systematically reproduced and sold for commercial gain. If the material is being published or issued to others, the source and copyright status must be acknowledged.

The permission to reproduce the Trust-protected material does not extend to any material on this site which is identified as being the copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce any third party material must be obtained from the copyright holders concerned.

Use of the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust logo

The Trust logo must not be used without permission from the Trust’s Executive Team. The Trust logo must not be used in any derogatory or misleading manner. It must not (without explicit written agreement from the Trust to the proposed use) be used in such a way that it could be taken as a form of endorsement or approval.

Disclaimer

Accuracy of information

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and the information provided does not constitute legal or other professional advice. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damages whatsoever arising from use or loss of use of data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use of www.sthk.nhs.uk.

Information provided on this website is designed to provide general information only.

There is no guarantee that links to external sites from our website lead to the most up-to-date information on that site.

We encourage organisations to link to our website (we do not require organisations to request permission to do so). However, we do request the following conditions are met:

• Links are not traded (if you offer a link to our website, we will not necessarily offer to create a link to your website in return)
• Do not use the link in a defamatory context
• You must not copy the Trust logo or use it to create a link
• Pages on this website are subject to change without notice, so we advise you link to a section heading, rather than deep-linking to content

Links from this website to external websites

• Links are provided for information and convenience only
• A link does not imply an endorsement of a site and not linking to a particular site does not imply lack of endorsement of that site
• The Trust cannot be held responsible for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link

We reserve the right to withdraw a link or refuse to link to any website without providing an explanation or justification