Welcome to The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust (TADCT) online community. By accessing or using our website, you agree to follow these Terms of Service. This website is designed for individuals accessing it from within the United Kingdom and Ireland. We cannot ensure that the site or its content complies with laws in other countries or that it is suitable for use outside the UK and Ireland.

Purpose and Medical Disclaimer

The information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our resources aim to support learning and awareness but should not be used for diagnosing health issues or providing treatment guidance. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical advice tailored to your situation.

Content Use and Intellectual Property

All content on this website, including articles, research summaries, and downloadable materials, is the sole property of TADCT. You are granted a personal, non-transferable, limited licence to view and use this content for its intended purpose. Sharing or redistributing this material without permission is prohibited. Any attempt to copy, distribute, or upload our materials to other platforms may result in liability and potential fees equivalent to each unauthorised user.

Registration and Conduct

To access certain areas of our website, you must register and create an account, providing accurate personal details such as your name and email address. By registering, you agree to keep your information updated and accurate. Accessing our site requires a compatible device, an internet connection, and updated browser software, which we do not supply.

We aim to foster a respectful, supportive community. By participating in forums, groups, or other community features, you agree to:

• Refrain from deceptive, fraudulent, threatening, or harmful behaviour toward TADCT, its users, or any third parties.
• Avoid unauthorised access to our systems or interference with the site’s operations (e.g., hacking or phishing).
  Use the platform respectfully and refrain from sharing or commercialising information, distributing spam, or infringing upon others’ rights.
• Avoid automating access to our content through scripts or other means without our express consent.

We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or delete any user-submitted content at any time, without notice.

External Links and Third-Party Content

Our website may contain links to other websites for reference purposes. TADCT does not endorse or guarantee the content, quality, or accuracy of any third-party sites and accepts no responsibility for your use of these external resources. Following these links is at your own discretion.

Liability

TADCT makes every effort to provide accurate, reliable information, but we do not guarantee completeness or accuracy. The site and all content are provided “as is.” We accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from your use of the site, including but not limited to:

• Business interruption, lost profits, or data loss.
• Damage due to viruses, malware, or other harmful elements encountered while browsing or downloading from our site.

User Content and Contributions

Any suggestions, comments, or other content you share on our site are submitted with the understanding that you own the rights to this material and grant TADCT an irrevocable, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, or adapt the content as needed to support our mission and enhance our services. By sharing, you waive any claims or legal recourse against us for its use.

Thank you for being part of our online community.

Please review these Terms of Service periodically, as they may be updated to reflect new guidelines or improvements to our website.

Your privacy is important to us at The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust (TADCT), and we are dedicated to protecting your personal information within our online community. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data. By using this website, registering an account, or interacting with our community features, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

Data Collection and Processing

We collect personal information about you when you register for an account in our online community. This includes your name, email address, and any additional information you choose to provide in your profile. We do not collect sensitive personal data, and any information gathered will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable data protection laws.

Automatic Data Collection and Cookies

We may also collect information automatically about your visit to our website using cookies. Cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the site and improve your experience. We use cookies to distinguish new visitors from returning users, track website traffic, and monitor site usage metrics, including heatmaps and session replay. Our cookies do not store any personal information, and where possible, we use anonymised or aggregated data.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.

Use of Your Personal Information

Under GDPR Article 6, our lawful basis for processing your personal information is ‘legitimate interest.’ This means we use your data to maintain and improve our services, facilitate communication within the community, and provide relevant information on community updates and opportunities.

Data Sharing and Disclosures

We value your privacy and will never sell your data to any third parties. We may share your information with trusted third parties who process data on our behalf, in strict compliance with this Privacy Policy and under a binding contract to protect your data. We may also share data if required by law or in compliance with legal requests.

Data Retention

Your data will be retained only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you opt out of marketing or community updates, we will retain minimal information to respect your preferences.

Your Rights

In line with data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request updates to any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Deletion: Request the removal of your personal data, where applicable.
• Objection: Object to the processing of your data when relying on legitimate interest.

If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact us. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding our handling of your personal data.

Contact Us

For any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us directly. We are here to assist and ensure transparency in how your information is managed.

Thank you for being a valued member of our community and for trusting us with your information.