How medicalcentreuk.org/ Uses Cookies and Similar Technologies
This page sets out the cookies and similar technologies we use, what each does, how long it lasts, and the choices you have under the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR). Read it alongside our Privacy Policy.
What is on this page
1. What Cookies Are
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. Similar technologies include local storage, pixels, and SDKs. They allow a website to remember your preferences, keep your visit working smoothly, measure usage, and (when you consent) support personalised advertising. This page covers all of these technologies under the general term “cookies.”
Under the UK regulatory framework, the use of cookies and similar technologies on UK websites is regulated by PECR regulation 6 and by UK GDPR Articles 6 and 7. The ICO publishes detailed guidance on cookie use at ico.org.uk.
2. Why We Use Cookies
- To make the site work — load pages, remember your cookie preferences, protect against form-submission abuse
- To remember your preferences — nation / region preference, font-size choice, accessibility preferences
- To understand what is useful — aggregated, anonymised analytics on which directory pages are read most
- To support display advertising — frequency capping and basic measurement, with personalised advertising only where you have consented
3. The Four Categories of Cookie
1. Strictly necessary
Essential for the site to function. Exempt from the PECR consent requirement under regulation 6(4). Always on; cannot be switched off.
2. Functional
Remember preferences (nation / region preference, font size, accessibility settings). On unless you opt out.
3. Analytics
Aggregated usage measurement. Off by default; switched on only with your prior, explicit consent.
4. Advertising
Frequency capping, measurement, and personalised advertising where you have consented. Off by default.
4. First-Party Cookies (Set by medicalcentreuk.org/)
| Name | Purpose | Category | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| mcuk_consent | Records your cookie-consent choice | Strictly necessary | 12 months |
| mcuk_session | Maintains page-load state during your visit | Strictly necessary | Session |
| mcuk_csrf | Cross-site request forgery protection on contact form | Strictly necessary | Session |
| mcuk_pref | Stores accessibility / UI preferences (font size, nation / region preference) | Functional | 6 months |
| mcuk_gpc | Records that we received your Global Privacy Control signal | Strictly necessary | 12 months |
5. Third-Party Cookies
Where you have given consent, the site may set cookies from these third parties. Each has its own privacy and cookie policy.
| Provider | Purpose | Category | Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 (GA4) | Aggregated site analytics | Analytics | policies.google.com/privacy |
| Google AdSense | Display advertising; frequency capping; measurement | Advertising | policies.google.com/technologies/ads |
| Cloudflare | Site security, bot mitigation, performance (CDN) | Strictly necessary | cloudflare.com/privacypolicy |
6. Consent and PECR Regulation 6
PECR regulation 6 requires prior, freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent before non-essential cookies are stored on or read from your device. Our cookie banner asks for your consent to analytics and advertising cookies on your first visit. Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent because they are exempt under PECR regulation 6(4).
Consent is recorded with timestamp and version of the policy in force, so that we can demonstrate compliance to the ICO if asked.
7. Global Privacy Control (GPC)
The site honours the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal as a clear indication of opt-out preference. If your browser sends a GPC signal, we treat it as an opt-out from advertising cookies and from any processing of personal data for cross-context behavioural advertising. The ICO has indicated in published guidance that browser-level signals indicating user preferences are relevant to the validity of consent under PECR and UK GDPR.
8. How to Manage Cookies
- Cookie banner — accept, reject, or customise on first visit
- “Cookie settings” link in the footer — change your choice at any time
- Browser controls — block or delete cookies in your browser settings (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave); block third-party cookies entirely if you prefer
- Private / Incognito browsing — cookies are deleted when the window closes
- GPC-enabled browser — Brave, Firefox (with extension), and DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser send a GPC signal automatically
9. Industry Opt-Out Tools
- YourOnlineChoices (EDAA, applicable in the UK) — youronlinechoices.com/uk
- Google Ads settings — adssettings.google.com
- Network Advertising Initiative (NAI, US) — optout.networkadvertising.org
10. Do Not Track
The browser-level Do Not Track (DNT) signal is no longer supported by major browsers and the original DNT specification was never finalised. We honour the more current Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal in its place — see Section 7.
11. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We update this policy when our practices change or when applicable laws change (for example, the UK Government’s proposed reforms to PECR cookie consent in low-risk contexts). The “Last reviewed” date at the top reflects the current version. Substantive changes will be re-prompted through the cookie banner where applicable.
12. Contact
For any cookie or privacy question, email info@medicalcentreuk.org with subject line “Cookie enquiry” — see our Privacy Policy for the full data-rights framework, and our notes on complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
Manage Your Cookie Preferences Any Time
Use the “Cookie settings” link in the site footer to change your choice. Your decision is remembered for 12 months from when you set it.
📧 info@medicalcentreuk.org