How medicalgroupuk.org/ Uses Cookies — PECR & UK GDPR
What cookies and similar technologies we use, what each does, how long it lasts, and your choices under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK GDPR, in line with ICO guidance. Read 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 and pixels. They let a site remember your preferences, keep your visit working, measure usage, and (with consent) support advertising.
2. The Law — PECR and UK GDPR
In the UK, cookies are governed by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and, where cookies process personal data, the UK GDPR. The rule, per ICO guidance: strictly necessary cookies may be set without consent; all other cookies (analytics, advertising) require your prior, informed consent, which you give — or refuse — via our cookie banner.
3. The Four Categories of Cookie
1. Strictly necessary
Essential for the site to function. Set without consent under PECR.
2. Functional
Remember preferences. Set only with consent.
3. Analytics
Aggregated usage measurement. Set only with consent.
4. Advertising
Frequency capping and measurement. Set only with consent.
4. First-Party Cookies (Set by medicalgroupuk.org/)
| Name | Purpose | Category | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| mgu_consent | Records your cookie-consent choice | Strictly necessary | 12 months |
| mgu_session | Maintains page-load state during your visit | Strictly necessary | Session |
| mgu_csrf | Cross-site request forgery protection | Strictly necessary | Session |
| mgu_region | Stores your area/region preference | Functional | 6 months |
5. Third-Party Cookies
| Provider | Purpose | Category | Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 (GA4) | Aggregated site analytics | Analytics | policies.google.com/privacy |
| Google AdSense | Advertising; frequency capping; measurement | Advertising | policies.google.com/technologies/ads |
| Cloudflare | Security, bot mitigation, CDN performance | Strictly necessary | cloudflare.com/privacypolicy |
6. Consent and the Cookie Banner
On your first visit, our cookie banner lets you accept all, reject all non-essential, or set your preferences by category. Non-essential cookies are not set until you consent. You can change your choice at any time via the “Cookie settings” link in the footer. We re-ask for consent at least every 12 months and whenever our cookie use materially changes, in line with ICO guidance.
7. 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 (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
- Private / Incognito browsing
- Your Online Choices — the EDAA opt-out tool at youronlinechoices.com
8. Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track
We monitor browser-based privacy signals such as the Global Privacy Control (GPC). The original Do Not Track (DNT) standard was never finalised and is no longer widely supported. Our cookie banner remains the primary, PECR-compliant way to set your preferences on this site.
9. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We update this policy when our practices or UK law change. The “Last reviewed” date at the top reflects the current version.
10. Contact
For any cookie or privacy query, email info@medicalgroupuk.org with the subject “Cookie query” — see our Privacy Policy for the full UK GDPR framework.
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.
📧 info@medicalgroupuk.org