Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptance of these terms

These Terms and Conditions form an agreement between you and MedPress concerning your use of the website available at medpress.org and any associated pages, tools, directories and services.

By accessing or using MedPress, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these terms. If you do not agree, you should discontinue your use of the website.

Additional terms may apply to particular services, subscriptions, paid listings, promotions or features. Where additional terms conflict with these general terms, the specific terms for that service will apply.

2. About MedPress

MedPress is an online healthcare information and medical directory platform. The website may provide:

• General health and medical information.
• Articles about conditions, symptoms and treatments.
• Healthcare-provider and organisation listings.
• Professional profiles and contact information.
• Search, discovery and directory tools.
• Advertising and sponsored content.
• Other healthcare-related resources.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, MedPress is not a healthcare provider, hospital, clinic, pharmacy, insurer or emergency service.

3. Eligibility and permitted use

You may use MedPress only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these terms.

Where you create an account, submit a listing, purchase a service or enter into an agreement with us, you confirm that you have the legal capacity and authority to do so.

If you act on behalf of a healthcare professional, organisation or business, you confirm that you are authorised to represent and legally bind that person or organisation where applicable.

4. Medical information disclaimer

Content on MedPress must not be treated as a substitute for:

• Professional medical advice.
• A clinical examination or consultation.
• Medical diagnosis.
• Prescribed medication or treatment.
• Advice from a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified professional.
• Emergency medical assistance.

Medical knowledge and clinical guidance can change. Although we aim to publish useful and carefully prepared information, we do not guarantee that all content is complete, current, accurate or applicable to your individual circumstances.

Never disregard professional medical advice, delay obtaining medical assistance or stop prescribed treatment solely because of information found on MedPress.

Decisions concerning medication, diagnosis, treatment, medical devices, supplements, pregnancy, surgery or any other healthcare matter should be discussed with an appropriately qualified professional.

5. Medical emergencies

MedPress does not continuously monitor contact forms, comments, emails or listing messages. We cannot guarantee that messages will be read or answered within a particular period.

The website must not be used to request urgent medical assistance, emergency intervention or time-sensitive clinical advice.

6. Healthcare directory

MedPress may publish profiles and directory listings for doctors, dentists, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, therapists and other healthcare providers or organisations.

A listing on MedPress does not necessarily mean that we:

• Recommend or endorse the listed provider.
• Guarantee the provider’s qualifications or registration.
• Verify every statement contained within the listing.
• Guarantee the quality, availability or outcome of a service.
• Have a partnership or employment relationship with the provider.

Users are responsible for carrying out appropriate checks before selecting or contacting a healthcare provider. This may include confirming professional registration, qualifications, experience, insurance, prices, availability and suitability.

Directory information may change without notice. Contact the relevant provider directly to confirm current details.

7. Healthcare-professional listings

A person or organisation submitting, claiming or managing a listing confirms that:

• The information supplied is accurate and not misleading.
• They are authorised to publish the information.
• Qualifications and professional claims are genuine.
• Required registrations, licences and insurance are maintained.
• The listing complies with applicable professional and advertising rules.
• The listing does not infringe another person’s rights.
• Contact details and service information will be kept current.

MedPress may request evidence to verify a listing, including proof of identity, authority, qualifications, professional registration or organisation details.

We may edit formatting, request corrections, refuse publication, temporarily hide or permanently remove a listing where we reasonably believe that it is inaccurate, misleading, unlawful, outdated, harmful or inconsistent with our standards.

Paid and featured listings

Some listings may be promoted, featured or offered as part of a paid service. Payment for increased visibility does not constitute a clinical recommendation or guarantee placement, enquiries, appointments or revenue.

Sponsored, promoted or featured listings may be identified using labels such as “Sponsored”, “Featured”, “Promoted” or another appropriate disclosure.

8. User accounts

Certain features may require an account. Account holders are responsible for:

• Providing accurate registration information.
• Keeping account details current.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of login credentials.
• Restricting unauthorised access to their account.
• Activities conducted through their account.
• Informing us promptly about suspected unauthorised access.

You must not impersonate another person, create a misleading identity, access another user’s account without permission or provide false professional information.

9. User-submitted content

Users may be able to submit listings, profile information, reviews, corrections, images, comments or other materials. This is referred to as “user content”.

You retain ownership of rights you hold in your user content. By submitting it, you grant MedPress a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, format, adapt, publish, display and distribute that content as reasonably necessary to operate, promote and improve the website.

You confirm that your content:

• Is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
• Does not infringe copyright, trade marks or privacy rights.
• Does not contain unlawful or defamatory statements.
• Does not contain confidential patient information.
• Does not contain malicious software or harmful code.
• Does not falsely represent professional qualifications.
• Complies with applicable laws and professional standards.

Do not publish patient names, medical records, photographs, treatment histories or other identifiable health information unless you have a valid legal basis and all necessary permissions.

We may moderate, reject or remove user content, but we are not obligated to monitor every submission before publication.

10. Acceptable use

You must not use MedPress to:

• Break any applicable law or regulation.
• Misrepresent your identity, qualifications or authority.
• Publish false, dangerous or misleading medical claims.
• Promote unlawful or unlicensed healthcare services.
• Upload confidential patient information without authority.
• Harass, threaten, defame or discriminate against others.
• Distribute spam or unauthorised advertising.
• Transmit viruses, malware or harmful code.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website.
• Interfere with the website’s operation or security.
• Scrape or extract substantial data without written permission.
• Use automated systems in a way that creates an unreasonable burden.
• Copy or republish substantial website content without permission.
• Manipulate reviews, ratings, clicks or advertising impressions.
• Encourage fraudulent or invalid advertising activity.

11. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, MedPress or its licensors own the website’s design, branding, software, layout, original articles, graphics, databases and other protected materials.

You may view and use website content for personal, non-commercial informational purposes. You must not, without prior written permission:

• Republish substantial parts of MedPress content.
• Sell, license or commercially exploit our content.
• Remove copyright or ownership notices.
• Create a competing directory using extracted MedPress data.
• Use the MedPress name or branding in a misleading manner.
• Suggest an endorsement, partnership or affiliation that does not exist.

Limited quotations may be used where permitted by law and accompanied by appropriate acknowledgement and a link to the relevant MedPress page.

12. Advertising, AdSense and sponsored content

MedPress may display advertisements supplied by third parties, including advertisements delivered through Google AdSense.

Advertisements are generally selected, delivered and managed by external advertising providers. MedPress does not necessarily control every advertisement displayed to an individual visitor.

The appearance of an advertisement does not mean that MedPress:

• Recommends the advertiser.
• Endorses the advertised product or service.
• Has independently verified every advertising claim.
• Guarantees the safety, quality or effectiveness of an advertised product.

This distinction is particularly important for advertisements concerning healthcare, medicines, supplements, medical devices, clinics or treatment services.

Users should independently assess advertising claims and obtain professional advice before making healthcare or purchasing decisions.

Advertising providers may use cookies and similar technologies as described in our Privacy Policy.

Paid editorial content, advertorials or sponsored collaborations controlled by an advertiser will be identified using an appropriate advertising disclosure where required.

13. External links and third-party services

MedPress may include links to healthcare providers, advertisers, government services, research organisations and other external websites.

External websites are operated independently. We do not control and are not responsible for their:

• Content or availability.
• Accuracy or reliability.
• Privacy and cookie practices.
• Products, services or professional conduct.
• Security arrangements.
• Terms and conditions.

You access and use third-party services at your own discretion and subject to the third party’s terms.

14. Website availability and changes

We aim to maintain a useful and accessible website, but we do not guarantee that MedPress will always be available, uninterrupted, secure or free from technical errors.

We may change, suspend, restrict or discontinue any part of the website for maintenance, security, operational, commercial or legal reasons.

We may also update, correct, reorganise or remove content without prior notice.

15. Disclaimers and limitation of liability

MedPress is provided on an “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not guarantee that:

• Every article or listing is complete or error-free.
• Information will always be current.
• A listed provider is suitable for a particular user.
• Use of the website will produce a particular result.
• The website will always be uninterrupted or secure.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, MedPress will not be responsible for indirect or consequential losses arising from use of, or reliance upon, the website.

This may include loss arising from:

• Reliance on general medical information.
• A decision to contact or use a listed provider.
• Information supplied by a third party.
• Temporary website unavailability.
• Loss of data, opportunity, revenue or reputation.
• External websites or advertisements.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, and any consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded.

16. Responsibility for claims

Where permitted by law, business users and professional listing owners agree to be responsible for reasonable losses, liabilities and costs arising from:

• Their unlawful use of MedPress.
• False or misleading listing information.
• Content they submit to the website.
• Infringement of another person’s rights.
• Breach of professional or advertising obligations.
• Breach of these Terms and Conditions.

This section does not reduce statutory protections available to consumers under applicable law.

17. Privacy and cookies

Our collection and use of personal information is described in our Privacy Policy.

The website may use necessary, preference, analytics and advertising cookies. Where consent is legally required, non-essential cookies will be controlled through our cookie consent system.

By submitting information to a public directory listing, you understand that approved listing information may become publicly accessible.

18. Suspension and termination

We may suspend, restrict or terminate access to an account, listing or website feature where we reasonably believe that:

• These terms have been breached.
• Information is false or misleading.
• A listing may present a risk to users.
• Fraud, spam or unlawful conduct has occurred.
• The website’s security or operation is threatened.
• Suspension is required by law or a competent authority.

Where appropriate and reasonably practicable, we may provide an opportunity to correct an issue before permanent removal. Serious or urgent matters may require immediate action.

19. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions to reflect changes to our services, technology, advertising arrangements, business practices or legal obligations.

Updated terms will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the website after an update means the revised terms will apply from their effective date.

Where changes materially affect a paid service or registered account, we may provide additional notice where appropriate.

20. Governing law and disputes

These terms and any non-contractual dispute arising from them are governed by the laws of Scotland.

Subject to any mandatory consumer rights regarding where proceedings may be brought, the Scottish courts will have jurisdiction over disputes relating to MedPress and these terms.

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

A delay or failure by MedPress to enforce a provision does not amount to a permanent waiver of that provision.