Comments policy

Contributing to A Better Medway

A Better Medway has a number of areas where you can contribute to the site.

Contributions to this website will be moderated, that is checked to make sure they don’t break our rules before they are published. You will need to keep your contributions constructive, relevant and civil. The following rules and guidelines are to protect both you and abettermedway.co.uk, and our moderators will not publish contributions that break the rules.

Complaining about another person’s comment

If you think that someone’s contribution to the website breaks our rules you can alert one of our moderators by using email enquiry@abettermedway.co.uk and providing details of the comment. Reporting a comment will not automatically remove it but will ensure we look at it as soon as possible. The moderators will then decide whether to remove it.

Relevance, civility and decency

Relevance: comments must be relevant to the page they are to appear on.

Be civil: please ensure that your contributions are respectful of others. We will not publish contributions that are unlawful, harassing, defamatory, abusive, threatening, obscene, sexually suggestive, racist, homophobic or sexist or that incite or promote hatred of any group of individual.

Writing in capitals: do not write in capital letters – on the Internet this is regarded as “shouting” and many people are offended by it.

Be informative: ensure that your comment has enough information to describe your experience.

Abusive language: comments containing swearing will not be published. People of all ages use the A Better Medway website and language should be suitable for them.

English: all comments on the website must be made in English. Comments in other languages will not be published.

Stereotypes: comments that stereotype sections of society will not be published.

Multiple posts: duplicate comments or repeats will not be published.

Naming people, defamation, libel and privacy

Whether you are speaking for yourself or on behalf of another person – if for example you are a carer or parent – do not name the individuals you are talking about. If you are making a comment on another person’s behalf, it is best instead to talk of ”my husband” “my uncle” and so on to protect their privacy.

• Personal information: to protect your privacy any information you contribute that reveals personal information, such as phone numbers, email addresses, addresses and so on will not be published. Any attempts to use the site to exchange personal information or arrange meetings with another user will also not be published.

Usernames, nicknames and impersonation

Usernames used on A Better Medway are moderated. When selecting a username make sure you choose one that is not rude, offensive or aimed at impersonating another person.

• Defamation: a comment that is capable of damaging the reputation of another person or organisation can result in legal action against the writer and publisher.
• Naming businesses: Please avoid naming businesses or commercial services in your comment.

• Under 16s: We ask that people under 16 get permission from a parent or guardian before posting on A Better Medway.

Health, advice, medical products and commercial activity

Comments that glamorise smoking, drug use or drinking or that promote a poor moral example will not be published.

Comments deemed to be advertising a product or service will not be published.

We may not publish references to specific medical products or medicines if the context is not appropriate.

Legal issues, criminal activity or negligence

• Current court cases and court injunctions: Contempt of court rules mean you cannot make comments that could prejudice the outcome of a court case or regulatory body hearing. Comments on something that subsequently becomes the subject of a court case or hearing will also not be published if they risk contempt of court. Contributions that break a court injunction will not be published.
• Clinical negligence or criminal activity: Specific accusations of clinical negligence in which an individual or team are identified will not be published. If you have a serious allegation of clinical negligence by a particular clinician or team please use the NHS Complaints procedure. Accusations of specific criminal activity will not be published. If you believe that criminal activity is or has taken place at any hospital please contact the police or hospital directly.
• Threats: comments containing threats of public fear, terrorism or threats towards any individual are not permitted.

• Copyright: ensure that you own the copyright to any material you put on the site - especially if you have copied it from another source. If we are in doubt about the ownership of content we will not publish it on the site.

Further information

Privacy

When you make a comment you will be asked to create A Better Medway user account. Your details will only be used to contact you about services you have expressed an interest in or to contact you about your comment should there be any concern about it. A Better Medway will not pass on your details to any other party and complies with the 1998 data protection act.

Copyright of your contributions

Your contributions to the A Better Medway website are published and viewable to the general public. In submitting your comments you assign all rights to A Better Medway for use and publication of your contribution (further information can be found in terms and conditions). If you are unwilling to grant A Better Medway copyright to your contribution you should not submit it to the site.

Action we may take

A breach of any of our rules can lead to your comment being rejected. Repeated or serious breaches of our rules may lead to A Better Medway blocking contributions from your email address or suspending your A Better Medway account. A Better Medway reserves the right to delete any content at any time for any reason and is under no obligation to publish any contributions. A Better Medway reserves the right to alter or update the house rules or terms and conditions at any time.