1. General Terms and Conditions

1.1 These terms and conditions govern the use of all BCGP guidelines websites, applications, PDF and printed literature. By using BCGP guidelines material you agree to accept these Terms and Conditions.

1.2 All BCGP Member Trusts must ensure that all persons who access our websites, applications and guidelines through their internet connection are aware of and comply with these Terms and Conditions. If these Terms and Conditions are not acceptable, the BCGP website, application or guidelines should not be used.

1.3 The BCGP may revise the Terms and Conditions, and it is your responsibility to check them periodically for any amendments. Your continued use of the BCGP website, application and guideline will mean that you agree to any changes.

1.4 BCGP cannot guarantee that its website and application will always provide uninterrupted and constant access. If BCGP needs to suspend, withdraw or restrict access to all or part of our website and application, it will endeavour to give reasonable notice.

1.5 Any disputes, complaints and claims shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The English courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over any claims arising from use of the BCGP material, although BCGP retain the right to bring proceedings for breach of the Terms and Conditions.

2. User Access

2.1 Usernames, passwords or any other piece of information provided for security procedures, are confidential and must not be disclosed to another person or third party. If you do not comply with these terms, we have the right to disable your access.

2.2 As a user, you will remain responsible for configuring your information technology infrastructure and software to access BCGP material. BCGP cannot guarantee that our websites and application will be secure or virus free and you agree that your use of BCGP material is at your own risk, and you take responsibility for any damage or loss to your equipment that may occur.

3. Third Party Products

3.1 BCGP do not endorse, own or take responsibility for third-party products, promotional material, adverts or services that may be displayed on, or described in, the BCGP website or application.

4. Personal Information

4.1 BCGP collect your personal information to allow access to BCGP materials. Anonymised data on how, when and which areas of BCGP you use may be collected to improve BCGP products and for guideline related research with Keele University, our affiliated university. By using BCGP guidelines material, you consent to BCGP collecting this data. This data can also be used to generate a continuous professional development (CPD) for yourself. 

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 The intellectual property rights of the content, layout, design, data, algorithms, and graphics on the BCGP website, application and guidelines are owned by the BCGP and are protected by intellectual property laws.

5.2 You may use or download and print content from our BCGP websites, applications and guidelines for personal, lawful and non-commercial purposes only, provided that all copyright notices and trademarks are retained. You must not use our BCGP websites, applications and guidelines for any commercial purpose.

6. Disclaimer

6.1The BCGP website, applications and guidelines have been compiled as an aide-memoire for licensed medical and allied health professionals concerned with the management of hospital inpatients, especially those presenting as emergencies, across several disciplines and all age groups.

6.2 They are for information purposes and are advisory, not mandatory. Every effort has been made to ensure the BCGP material is accurate and up to date.

6.3 The authors and editors cannot accept any responsibility for adverse /clinical outcomes.

6.4 The BCGP cannot provide guarantees or warranties to the guidelines’ accuracy or completeness.

6.5 The BCGP material is not intended to be material you can exclusively rely on and, as with all advice and guidelines, you must independently verify content from multiple sources and continue to seek professional and specialty advice in the management of patients. The BCGP material does not substitute the clinical judgment and expertise of medical and allied health professionals who retain full responsibility of the care of their patients.

6.6 These guidelines have been drafted with reference to published medical literature and amended after extensive consultation. Wherever possible, the recommendations made, are evidence based. Where no clear evidence has been identified from published literature the advice given represents a consensus of the expert authors and their peers and is based on their practical experience.

6.7 No guideline will apply to every patient, even where the diagnosis is clear-cut; there will always be exceptions. These guidelines are not intended as a substitute for logical thought and must be tempered by clinical judgement in the individual patient and advice from senior colleagues.

6.8 There is a possibility that a guideline may be updated between publication and the next edition, and the user must ensure they are using the most recent material.

6.9 Any instrumental change in guideline before the next edition will be published on the BCGP website and applications. However, because of regular advances in medical research we strongly recommend that readers independently verify the information provided.

6.10 The administration of certain drugs, especially those given intravenously, requires great care if clinical incidents are to be avoided. These guidelines do not include comprehensive guidance on the indications, contraindications, dosage and administration for all drugs. Please refer to the BNF or the BNF for Children available at https://bnf.nice.org.uk/; or the Neonatal Formulary: Drug Use in Pregnancy and the First Year of Life, 8th Edition 2020. Adjust doses as necessary for renal or hepatic impairment.

6.11 If the BCGP website, applications and guidelines have been translated into a language other than English, the BCGP cannot guarantee the accuracy or fidelity of these versions.