1. What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that is downloaded onto ‘terminal equipment’ (e.g., a computer or smartphone) when the user accesses a website. It allows the website to recognise that user’s device and store some information about the user’s preferences or past actions.
2. Why do we use cookies?
We use cookies to make our website run properly as well as to provide relevant advertising. We also use cookies for statistical purposes to analyse how our website is being used by visitors.
3. What cookies do we use?
We use 2 types of cookies on our website. These are HTTP cookies and pixel cookies. HTTP cookies are cookies that are sent from a server to your web browser. They then are used to tell when you have accessed the same site again which allows you to stay logged in. Pixel cookies are tags of code that are put into a website to allow the company to measure the effectiveness of their advertising.
The cookies we use have been arranged based on whether they are necessary, for statistical purposes or for marketing purposes. Necessary cookies are used to ensure our website is useable by providing basic functions like page navigation. Statistical cookies help us understand how our website visitors interact with our websites. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites which helps us display ads to you that are relevant and engaging.
Each of these categories with the relevant cookies can be found below.
The following table provides detail of the statistical cookies we use, each of their purposes, their type, who provides them and how long we hold the data for.
4. Third party cookies
.Links through our website will direct you to other websites such as Twitter. These websites have their own cookies, and we cannot control the cookies they use when you visit their sites, even if you have been directed there through our website.
5. Controlling and managing the use of cookies
You will be asked to provide consent for the cookies that we use on our website, beyond those that are strictly necessary for the functionality of the website. You can manage the cookies we place in your browser using the ‘Manage Cookies’ link above, or in the website footer.
Many cookies can also be disabled through your web browsers settings. This varies between web browsers but can usually be found under the ‘help’ or ‘tools’ section of your browser.
You can find the most recent cookie management steps for your browser here: https://www.cookiesandyou.com/disable-cookies
6. The rights available to individuals in respect of cookies
Our Data Protection Officer is Nick Banister-Dudley who can be contacted via the Central Support office, by phone on 01277 655655 or by email on [email protected].
Information on your data rights can be found in our Individual Rights and Data Access procedure. A copy is available on our website here, or you can request a printed copy from your line manager. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact the Data Protection Officer on [email protected] who will support you in this.
Date of Issue: 20/11/2023
Date of Review: 19/11/2026
Policy number: HCH/NBD/OPS/71
Version Number: 5
Author: Head of Compliance & Data Protection Officer & Digital Marketing Manager
Ratified by: Care Quality, Governance and Compliance Director & Senior Information Risk Owner