ESyDoc

Before posting comments to the ESyDoc website it is your responsibility to read the Comments Policy.

Contributions to this website may be moderated, that is, checked to make sure they don’t break our rules. You will need to keep your contributions constructive, relevant and civil. The following rules and guidelines are to protect both you and ESyDoc LLP, and our moderators will remove contributions that break the rules.

Complaining about another person's comment

If you think that someone’s contribution to the website breaks our rules you can alert one of our moderators by clicking the links provided to report a comment. Reporting a comment will not automatically remove it but will ensure we look at it as soon as possible. The moderators will then decide whether to edit the comment or remove it permanently.

Relevance, civility and decency

Relevance: comments must be relevant to the page they are to appear on.

Be civil: please ensure that your contributions are respectful of others. We will remove contributions that are unlawful, harassing, abusive, threatening, obscene, sexually suggestive, racist, homophobic or sexist or that incite or promote hatred of any group of individual.

Writing in capitals: do not write in capital letters – on the internet this is regarded as "shouting" and many people are offended by it.

Be informative: ensure that your comment has enough information to describe your experience, and if you are commenting on a hospital or GP practice, enough information to assist someone else in making decisions about the hospital or GP practice.

Abusive language: comments containing swearing will be removed. People of all ages use the NHS Choices website and language should be suitable for them.

English: all comments on the website must be made in English. Comments in other languages will be removed.

Stereotypes: comments that stereotype sections of society will be removed.

Multiple posts: duplicate comments or repeats will be removed.

Privacy and confidentiality

Whether you are speaking for yourself or on behalf of another person – if for example you are a carer or parent – do not name the individuals you are talking about. If you are making a comment on another person's behalf, it is best instead to talk of "my husband" "my uncle" and so on to protect their privacy.

Personal information: to protect your privacy any information you contribute that reveals personal information, such as phone numbers, email addresses, addresses and so on will be removed. Any attempts to use the site to exchange personal information or arrange meetings with another user will also be removed.

Screen names, nicknames and inpersonation

Screen names used on the ESyDoc website are moderated. When selecting a screen name make sure you choose one that is not rude, offensive or aimed at impersonating another person.

Naming businesses: Please avoid naming businesses or commercial services in your comment.

Under 16s: We ask that people under 16 get permission from a parent or guardian before posting on the ESyDoc website.

Health advice, medical products and commercial activity

Comments that glamorise smoking, drug use or drinking or that promote a poor moral example will be removed.

Asking for and giving specific medical advice will be permitted only in clearly marked areas and will be removed from other areas.

Comments deemed to be advertising a product or service will be removed.

We may remove references to specific medical products or medicines if the context is not appropriate.

Legal issues, criminal activity and negligence

Current court cases and court injunctions: contempt of court rules mean you cannot make comments that could prejudice the outcome of a court case or General Medical Council hearing. Comments on something that subsequently becomes the subject of a court case or hearing will also be removed if they risk contempt of court. Contributions that break a court injunction will be removed.

Clinical negligence or criminal activity: specific accusations of clinical negligence in which an individual is identified will not be published. If you have a serious allegation of clinical negligence by a particular clinician please use the NHS Complaints procedure. Accusations of specific criminal activity will not be published. If you believe that criminal activity is or has taken place at any hospital please contact the police or hospital directly.

Defamation: defamation may occur when someone makes an untrue statement which damages a person's reputation or someone makes a statement which expresses an opinion which they do not sincerely hold.

Disclaimer: this definition is not to be regarded as a statement of the law nor should it be relied upon to make any judgment as to whether content is potentially defamatory. It is up to you to decide whether to take specific legal advice.

Threats: comments containing threats of public fear, terrorism or threats towards any individual are not permitted.

Copyright: ensure that you own the copyright to any material you put on the site - especially if you have copied it from another source. If we are in doubt about the ownership of content we will remove it from the site.

Further information

Privacy
When you make a comment you will be asked to either create or login to a Disqus account or, to use your Facebook, Open ID, Yahoo or Twitter account. Your details will only be used to contact you about services you have expressed an interest in or to contact you about your comment should there be any concern about it. ESyDoc will not pass on your details to any other party and complies with the 1998 Data Protection Act.

Copyright of your contributions
Your contributions to the ESyDoc website are published and viewable to the general public. In submitting your comments you assign all rights to ESyDoc for use and publication of your contribution (further information can be found in terms and conditions). If you are unwilling to grant ESyDoc copyright to your contribution you should not submit it to the site.

Action we may take
A breach of any of our rules can lead to your comment being rejected. Repeated or serious breaches of our rules may lead to ESyDoc blocking contributions from your email address or third-party account. ESyDoc reserves the right to delete any content at any time for any reason and is under no obligation to publish any contributions. ESyDoc reserves the right to alter or update the house rules or terms and conditions at any time.