Privacy Policy & Terms

Privacy Policy

StrokeWize Ltd ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal data is handled in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who We Are

StrokeWize Ltd is the data controller responsible for your personal data. We are a company registered in the United Kingdom dedicated to supporting stroke survivors and their families through their recovery journey.

• Company: StrokeWize Ltd
• Email: privacy@strokewize.com
• General enquiries: hello@strokewize.com

What Data We Collect

We collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Identity and Contact Data

• Name (first name, last name)
• Email address
• Country/region of residence

Technical Data

• IP address (anonymised where possible)
• Browser type and version
• Device type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our website

Communication Data

• Messages you send us through our contact form
• Email correspondence
• Feedback and survey responses

Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. We rely on the following:

• Consent: When you sign up for our newsletter, early access list, or submit a contact form
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, ensure website security, and communicate about our platform
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data to:

• Provide you with information about StrokeWize and our services
• Send newsletters and updates (only with your consent)
• Respond to your enquiries and support requests
• Improve our website and user experience
• Analyse website usage patterns (using anonymised data)
• Comply with legal obligations

Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy:

• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
• Contact form submissions: 2 years from last correspondence
• Technical/analytics data: 26 months (anonymised)
• Early access registrations: Until platform launch plus 1 year, or until you request deletion

Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your data with:

• Service providers: Email platforms (e.g., Substack), hosting providers, analytics services
• Legal authorities: If required by law or to protect our legal rights

All third-party service providers are required to maintain appropriate security measures and process data only according to our instructions.

Health Data Protection

Our Approach to Health Information

While StrokeWize provides educational content and recovery support tools for stroke survivors, we want to be transparent about how we handle health-related information:

What We Do NOT Collect

• Medical records or clinical information
• NHS numbers or patient identifiers
• Specific diagnosis details or treatment plans
• Prescription or medication information
• Information from healthcare providers

What We May Collect (With Explicit Consent)

When you voluntarily share information with us (e.g., in feedback forms or community features), you may choose to share:

• General information about your stroke recovery journey
• Your role (survivor, carer, family member, healthcare professional)
• General recovery stage or goals

NHS and Healthcare System Independence

StrokeWize operates independently from the NHS and other healthcare systems. We:

• Do not have access to NHS patient records
• Do not share data with the NHS or healthcare providers unless you explicitly request it
• Are not a substitute for medical advice or treatment
• Encourage users to work with their healthcare teams

Safeguards for Health-Related Information

For any health-related information you choose to share with us, we implement:

• Explicit consent: We will always ask for your clear, affirmative consent before collecting any health-related information
• Purpose limitation: Health-related data is only used for the specific purpose you consented to
• Minimisation: We only collect what is necessary
• Enhanced security: Additional technical measures protect sensitive data
• Access controls: Strict limitations on who can access this data
• Right to withdraw: You can withdraw consent at any time

Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

Right of Access

You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you. We will respond within one month of your request.

Right to Rectification

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

You can request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances, such as when it's no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected.

Right to Restrict Processing

You can request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.

Right to Data Portability

You can request your personal data in a structured, commonly used format to transfer to another service.

Right to Object

You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.

Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time. This won't affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

Right to Complain

If you're not satisfied with how we handle your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

• Website: ico.org.uk
• Helpline: 0303 123 1113
• Address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. We use cookies to improve your experience and understand how our site is used.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required for the website to function. These cannot be disabled.

• Session management
• Security features
• Cookie consent preferences

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

Help us understand how visitors use our website. Data is anonymised.

• Page views and navigation patterns
• Time spent on pages
• Traffic sources

Functional Cookies (Optional)

Remember your preferences for a better experience.

• Language preferences
• Display settings (e.g., dark mode)

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through:

• Our cookie banner: Select your preferences when you first visit
• Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies
• Opt-out tools: For analytics, you can use browser extensions like Google Analytics Opt-out

Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

Terms of Service

By using the StrokeWize website and services, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully.

About Our Service

StrokeWize provides educational content, resources, and support tools for stroke survivors, carers, and families. Our service is designed to complement, not replace, professional medical care.

Acceptable Use

When using our services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information when registering or contacting us
• Use the service for personal, non-commercial purposes
• Respect other users in any community features
• Not attempt to access restricted areas or systems
• Not use automated systems to scrape or copy content
• Not share harmful, offensive, or misleading content

Intellectual Property

All content on StrokeWize, including text, graphics, logos, and software, is owned by StrokeWize Ltd or our licensors and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

You may:

• View and download content for personal use
• Share links to our content
• Quote brief excerpts with attribution

You may not:

• Reproduce substantial portions of our content without permission
• Use our content for commercial purposes
• Remove copyright notices or attributions

User Content

If you submit content to us (feedback, testimonials, community posts), you:

• Retain ownership of your content
• Grant us a licence to use, display, and share your content in connection with our services
• Confirm your content does not infringe others' rights
• Understand we may remove content that violates these terms

Disclaimers and Limitations

Our service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. While we strive for accuracy:

• We cannot guarantee all information is complete, current, or error-free
• We are not liable for decisions made based on our content
• We are not responsible for third-party websites we link to
• Our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by UK law

Nothing in these terms excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

Changes to Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified via email or website notice. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.