Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to the website owner.

Cookies allow websites to remember your actions and preferences (such as login details, language, font size, and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you do not have to re-enter these every time you visit or browse from page to page.

Session vs Persistent Cookies

Session cookies are temporary and are deleted from your device when you close your browser. Persistent cookiesremain on your device for a set period or until you delete them manually. We use both types depending on the purpose.

First-Party vs Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by our website.Third-party cookies are set by external services we use, such as Google Analytics or booking software. These third parties have their own privacy policies which we link to where relevant.

We use cookies for the following purposes:

• To ensure our website functions correctly and securely.
• To remember your cookie choices between visits.
• With separate permission, to show an interactive Google Map of a clinic when you ask for one.
• To enable our booking and appointment system to operate.
• To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.

The consent manager supports up to five categories. It shows only the optional purposes configured for this clinic. The table below explains the category system and when each purpose may operate.

Essential cookies are strictly necessary for our website to function. They do not require your consent under PECR and cannot be turned off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

Functional cookies are optional. We use them only for a feature you ask for. Today that is the Google Map of our clinics, which Google provides inside a frame on our page. You can refuse Functional cookies and still use every part of the website: each clinic's address and an Open in Google Maps link are always available.

How the Map Is Loaded

• With Functional cookies off or not yet chosen, nothing from Google is requested. The map area is a placeholder; selecting it (or Show map) opens your cookie preferences and does not change your saved choice.
• With Functional cookies allowed, each map loads as you scroll to it on our Contact and clinic pages, after the page has finished loading. You do not need to select anything further.
• Withdrawing Functional cookies, using the cookie settings button, removes the map from the page straight away.
• The map frame is told not to send Google the address of the page you are on, and we add no page address, query string or patient information to it.

What Google Receives

When a map loads, your browser contacts Google directly, so Google receives your IP address and device and browser information, and may set cookies or similar storage on your device. Google is an independent controller of that data under its own policies.

This website does not currently use analytics cookies, and no Google Analytics code loads. If we add analytics in future it will be optional and will stay off until you allow Analytics, and this policy will be updated first so it lists the cookies it sets.

This website does not currently use marketing or advertising cookies, and no advertising or conversion tag loads. If we add advertising measurement in future it will be optional and will stay off until you allow Marketing, and this policy will be updated first so it lists the cookies it sets.

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services we use to support our clinic operations and online presence. These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies.

When you first visit our website, you will be shown a cookie consent banner. This banner gives you clear control over which categories of cookies you accept, in line with our obligations under PECR and the UK GDPR.

What Your Choices Mean

• Accept all — you allow every optional category configured for this clinic.
• Reject all — only necessary storage remains. Optional Google tags do not load.
• Customise — you can allow or refuse each optional category shown for this clinic independently.

Allowing Functional cookies, including with Accept all, lets the clinic maps on our Contact and clinic pages load as you scroll to them. With Functional cookies off, no map loads. Withdrawing Functional cookies removes the maps.

Withdrawing Consent

You may change or withdraw your consent at any time using the cookie settings button shown on every page. Withdrawal sends updated denied signals to any already-loaded Google tag, removes known first-party tracking storage for the withdrawn purpose, and reloads when needed so optional tags remain off. You can also clear cookies in your browser.

In addition to our consent banner, you can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse new cookies, delete existing cookies, and be notified when cookies are set. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of our website.

Browser Cookie Settings

Relevant Legislation

• PECRThe Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 govern the use of cookies in the UK and require consent for non-essential cookies.
• UK GDPRThe UK General Data Protection Regulation sets out the lawful basis for processing personal data, including data collected via cookies.
• DPA 2018The Data Protection Act 2018 supplements the UK GDPR and provides specific exemptions and derogations for the UK context.