Website privacy policy and cookies

Visitors to our website

When someone visits www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk we collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site.

We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website. We will not associate any data gathered from this site with any personally identifying information from any source.

If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be up front about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.

You should be aware that access to web pages will generally create log entries in the systems of your Internet or network services provider. These entities may be in a position to identify the client computer equipment used to access a page. Such monitoring would be done by the provider of network services and is outwith the responsibility or control of NHS Highland.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, mobile or other device when you visit a website. They are used in order to make websites work (or work more efficiently) as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. Cookies do a variety of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, helping identify trends for statistical purposes and generally improving the user experience.

The duration (expiry) of a particular cookie will have been set to:

the session - a temporary cookie which is deleted as soon as you close the site in your browser
a set period - one day or one month, for example
permanent - the cookie remains on your computer to be re-activated if you return to the same site

Any or all cookies stored in your browser can be deleted using your browser settings.

Cookies used on this NHS Highland site

The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. By continuing to use this website, you are consenting to the use of these cookies. Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

For all other types of cookies we need your permission.

The cookies used on this website have been categorised based on the categories found in the ICC UK Cookie guide.

Strictly necessary cookies

Our only strictly necessary cookie is:

Cookie name: CookieControl
Provider: Civic Cookie Control
Default expiration time: 90 days
Description: Used to remember user cookie preferences.
Type: HTTP cookie

Functional cookies

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.

Our website does not currently use functional cookies.

Performance cookies

These cookies are usually statistical, collecting information anonymously about how visitors use a website, to help us better understand and improve how people interact with our site. The statistics may show:

the number of visitors to the site
which pages visitors go to most often
if visitors get error messages from particular pages
which broad geographical region visitors have come to the site from.

These cookies don’t collect personal information that identifies a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.

Our website uses Google Analytics 4 to analyse and create reports about the use of our website. These HTTP cookies are set:

Cookie name: _ga
Provider: Google
Default expiration time: 2 years
Description: Used to distinguish users.
Type: HTTP cookie

Cookie name: _ga_<unique-container-id>
Provider: Google
Default expiration time: 2 years
Description: Used to persist session state.
Type: HTTP cookie

Third party cookies

Third-party cookies are cookies that are set by a website other than the one you are currently on. They are installed by third parties, generally with the aim to collect information associated with user behaviour and demographics.

For example, we may have YouTube videos or other embedded content widgets on our site which set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies and while we will try to prevent them if requested, it is better if you block them directly in your browser.

We use Google as a third party service provider and we present video clips via YouTube.

Read the Google Privacy Policy.
Read about how Google safeguards your data.

Targeting cookies and advertising cookies

These cookies are used to track visitors across websites and deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign.

They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator’s permission. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers.

They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. Quite often targeting or advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by the other organisation.

Our website does not currently use targeting cookies and advertising cookies.

How do I change my cookie preferences?

Using our cookie control selector

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking or tapping the C icon (cookie control) in the black triangle in the lower right-hand corner of this browser.

The I Accept Cookies button means you accept both our Necessary and Analytics cookies.
The I Do Not Accept Cookies button means you reject our Analytics cookies.
You can alternatively adjust the Analytics slider to On or Off.

Using your browser preferences

Our necessary cookies are enabled by default in your browser. It is possible to refuse these cookies by adjusting the preferences in your browser, however this will prevent this website from functioning correctly.

If you do want to disable necessary or other cookies, most web browsers allow control of cookies through their settings. Find out how to manage cookies on popular browsers:

More general cookie information

To find out more about cookies, including how to manage them, visit:

Our cookie policy does not apply to websites that you are directed to from this website. We encourage you to read the cookie and privacy statements on other websites you visit.

Social media guidelines

Everyone should feel welcome on our social media accounts - please help us to keep it that way.
Website accessibility statement

Including technical information about this website's accessibility.
Website privacy policy and cookies

About your privacy when using this website, and information on cookies used.
Website terms and conditions

Any information appearing on www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk is issued as general information and does not constitute a w...