Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy

Last updated: [insert date]

1. Introduction

Welcome to shaunappleton.com (this “Website”). This Website is operated on behalf of Mr Shaun Appleton, a consultant surgeon providing specialist medical services in the United Kingdom (“we”, “us”, “our”).

By using this Website, you agree to these Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy (together, this “Policy”). If you do not agree, please do not use the Website.

If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at info@shaunappleton.com.

2. Terms of Use

2.1 Website purpose and medical disclaimer

  • The content on this Website is provided for general information only.

  • Nothing on this Website constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment for any specific individual.

  • The information is not a substitute for a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who can consider your personal medical history and circumstances.

  • You must not ignore medical advice from your own doctor or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.

If you have any concerns about your health, you should seek medical advice promptly from your GP, an appropriate specialist, NHS services, or emergency services where needed.

2.2 No doctor–patient relationship

Use of this Website alone does not create a doctor–patient relationship between you and Mr Shaun Appleton. A doctor–patient relationship is only formed through an appropriate clinical consultation and acceptance as a patient.

2.3 Accuracy of information

We aim to ensure the information on this Website is accurate and up to date. However:

  • Medical knowledge and clinical guidelines change over time.

  • We do not guarantee that all information is complete, accurate or current at all times.

  • We may update or remove content without notice.

You use the information on this Website at your own risk.

2.4 External links

This Website may contain links to third party websites or resources. These are provided for convenience only:

  • We do not endorse or accept responsibility for the content, security or privacy practices of external websites.

  • You should review the terms and privacy policies of any third party sites you visit.

2.5 Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated:

  • All text, graphics, logos, icons, images, page layout and other content on this Website are owned by or licensed to us.

  • You may view, download and print pages for your own personal, non-commercial use.

  • You must not reproduce, distribute, modify, publish, or use any content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

2.6 Acceptable use

You agree not to:

  • Use this Website for any unlawful purpose.

  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Website, server or any associated systems.

  • Introduce viruses, malware or other harmful code.

  • Use the Website in a way that could damage, disable or impair its operation or other users’ access.

We may suspend or restrict access to the Website if we reasonably believe there has been a breach of these terms.

2.7 Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

  • We do not accept liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from your use of this Website or reliance on its content.

  • We do not accept responsibility for any indirect, consequential or economic loss.

Nothing in this Policy excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

2.8 Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms of Use from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when the most recent changes were made. Your continued use of the Website after changes have been made will mean that you accept those changes.

3. Privacy Policy

This section explains how we collect, use and protect your personal data when you use this Website in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

3.1 Data controller

For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller responsible for your personal data collected via this Website is:

Mr Shaun Appleton
Email: info@shaunappleton.com

3.2 How we collect your personal data

We may collect personal data about you when you:

  • Visit and browse this Website.

  • Contact us by email using info@shaunappleton.com.

  • Follow links from this Website to booking platforms, hospital sites or other third party services (please note that those services have their own privacy policies).

We do not provide online diagnosis or consultations directly via this Website. Any detailed clinical information is normally processed by the hospital or clinic where you receive care or through a secure booking or messaging platform, which will have its own privacy policy.

3.3 Types of data we may collect

The information we may collect includes:

Information you provide directly

  • Name, contact details and any information you choose to include when you email us (for example, your symptoms, medical history or questions).

  • Your preferences or feedback if you choose to provide it.

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Website, certain technical data may be collected automatically, such as:

  • IP address.

  • Browser type and version.

  • Device type and operating system.

  • Pages visited, dates, times and duration of visits.

  • Referring website or source (for example, search engine or link).

This information is typically collected using cookies and similar technologies (see Cookie Policy below).

We do not intentionally collect special category data (such as detailed medical information) through open email or contact forms. However, if you choose to share such information in an email, we will treat it confidentially and handle it with care.

3.4 Legal bases for processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

  • Consent: where you have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose (for example, when you choose to email us).

  • Legitimate interests: for our legitimate interests in operating and improving the Website, responding to enquiries and developing our services, provided these interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.

  • Legal obligations: where processing is necessary to comply with legal or regulatory obligations (for example, in relation to clinical records, which are usually held by hospitals or clinics).

If we ever rely on consent, you have the right to withdraw consent at any time by contacting us at info@shaunappleton.com.

3.5 How we use your data

We may use your personal data to:

  • Respond to your enquiries sent to info@shaunappleton.com.

  • Provide you with information about services, clinics or appointment options you have requested.

  • Maintain and improve this Website, including security and performance.

  • Monitor usage in an aggregated and anonymised way to understand which pages are most useful.

  • Comply with legal or regulatory obligations where applicable.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

3.6 Sharing your data

We may share your personal data with:

  • Hospitals, clinics or booking platforms involved in your care, where you have asked us to help arrange or discuss an appointment.

  • IT and website service providers who support our Website or email systems, under appropriate confidentiality and data processing agreements.

  • Professional advisers, such as legal or regulatory bodies, where necessary to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.

Where data is transferred outside the UK, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with data protection law (for example, using standard contractual clauses where needed).

3.7 Data security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data, including:

  • Using secure hosting and security updates for the Website.

  • Limiting access to personal data to those who need it.

  • Using secure email systems where possible.

However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. You should avoid sending highly sensitive medical information by unencrypted email where possible.

3.8 Data retention

We will keep your personal data for as long as:

  • It is reasonably necessary to respond to your enquiry and manage our relationship.

  • We have a legitimate business reason or legal obligation to retain it.

When personal data is no longer required, we will delete or anonymise it.

Clinical records arising from consultations or treatment are usually held by the hospital or clinic where you are treated and are subject to separate retention policies and regulations.

3.9 Your rights

Under data protection law, you have certain rights in relation to your personal data, including:

  • Right of access: to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

  • Right to rectification: to have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected.

  • Right to erasure: in certain circumstances, to request deletion of your personal data.

  • Right to restriction: to request that we restrict processing in certain circumstances.

  • Right to object: to object to processing based on legitimate interests.

  • Right to data portability: in some cases, to receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us by email at info@shaunappleton.com.

You also have the right to complain to the UK data protection authority:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
ico.org.uk

We would, however, appreciate the chance to deal with your concerns first, so please contact us in the first instance.

4. Cookie Policy

4.1 What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, improve performance and provide information to website owners.

There are different types of cookies, including:

  • Strictly necessary cookies: needed for the website to function correctly.

  • Performance or analytics cookies: help us understand how visitors use the site.

  • Functionality cookies: remember your preferences.

  • Targeting or advertising cookies: track browsing to deliver relevant advertising.

4.2 How we use cookies

This Website may use cookies to:

  • Allow basic site functionality and security.

  • Collect anonymous statistics about how visitors use the Website (for example, which pages are visited and how long visitors spend on each page).

Any analytics we use are intended to help improve the Website and the information we provide. Data is usually aggregated and does not identify individual users.

If we use specific third party analytics or tools (for example, Google Analytics or similar), those providers may also set cookies. They have their own privacy and cookie policies which you should review.

4.3 Cookie consent

When you first visit this Website, you may see a banner or notice explaining that cookies are used:

  • By continuing to browse, or by clicking “Accept” where applicable, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Policy.

  • You can withdraw or change your consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings or, where available, using cookie controls provided on the Website.

4.4 Managing cookies

Most web browsers allow you to:

  • View which cookies are stored on your device.

  • Delete all or some cookies.

  • Block cookies from specific websites.

  • Block all cookies.

If you choose to block or delete cookies, some parts of this Website may not function correctly.

You can usually find cookie control settings in the “Options”, “Settings” or “Preferences” sections of your browser. For more detailed guidance, visit the help section of your browser or websites that explain cookie management in more detail.

5. Contact details

If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, the Privacy Policy or Cookie Policy, or if you would like to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:

Email: info@shaunappleton.com