We keep cookies to a minimum on this website. This page tells you exactly what's running, why, and how to turn it off if you want to.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that a website places on your device (computer, phone, tablet) when you visit. Cookies help websites remember information about your visit — for example, that you've already made a choice about cookies, or that you're logged in. Some cookies are essential for the site to work. Others are optional and used for analytics or advertising.
Our approach
We use as few cookies as possible, and nothing optional runs until you say yes. When you first arrive, a banner asks what you're happy with. Until you make a choice, no analytics or advertising cookies are set at all. Accept and Reject are given equal prominence, nothing is pre-ticked, and you can change your mind at any time.
We don't follow you around the internet. We don't sell your data to ad networks. We don't track your behaviour for retargeting. We use Google Analytics to count visits in aggregate, and only if you agree to it. Say no and the site works exactly the same.
Cookies currently in use
The table below covers every cookie that painkillerconsulting.co.uk can set on your device:
| Cookie | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| pk_consent | Remembers your cookie choice, so you're not asked again on every page. Stores only the categories you agreed to, plus a timestamp and a version number. | Strictly necessary | 6 months |
| _ga | Google Analytics. Distinguishes one visitor from another so visits can be counted. Set only if you accept analytics cookies. | Analytics (optional) | 2 years |
| _ga_6TX1GJKW2W | Google Analytics. Maintains session state for this specific property. Set only if you accept analytics cookies. | Analytics (optional) | 2 years |
pk_consent is classed as strictly necessary under the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), because it exists solely to record and honour the preference you've expressed. Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent.
The two Google Analytics cookies are optional and are not set unless you accept them. If you decline, Google Analytics still runs in a cookieless mode that reports anonymous, aggregated totals with no identifier stored on your device and no cross-visit tracking.
Third-party services we link to
Some things you can do from this site happen on somebody else's platform rather than ours:
- Calendly — booking a diagnostic call opens Calendly in a new tab. Any cookies are set by Calendly on their own domain, under their own policy, not by us.
- Stripe — purchases for the Toolkit, Scorecard and Rapid-Resolve are completed on Stripe's hosted checkout. Stripe sets cookies for fraud prevention and transaction continuity on their domain.
- Google Fonts — typefaces on this site are served by Google Fonts, which does not set cookies but does receive your IP address as part of the request.
Because these are separate destinations rather than embedded widgets, we can't set or read their cookies, and they can't set cookies through our pages.
Changing your mind
You can review or change your choice at any time: . The same link sits in the footer of every page. Withdrawing consent is exactly as easy as giving it, which is a requirement rather than a courtesy.
If you clear your browser cookies, your saved preference goes with them and you'll be asked again on your next visit. We also re-ask everyone roughly every six months, so consent stays current rather than being assumed indefinitely.
How to manage cookies in your browser
You can also control cookies through your browser settings:
- Safari (iOS): Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies (note: this may break some features of websites you use)
- Safari (Mac): Safari → Settings → Privacy → Block all cookies
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
You can also clear existing cookies through the same settings panels. Note that blocking all cookies will prevent this site from remembering your consent choice, so the banner will reappear on every visit.
Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
Some browsers and extensions send an automatic opt-out signal, either the older "Do Not Track" header or the newer Global Privacy Control. We respect both. If your browser sends either signal, analytics and advertising cookies stay switched off and you won't be shown the consent banner at all. You can still turn analytics on deliberately through the cookie settings link if you want to.
Updates to this policy
If we change how we use cookies, we'll update this page and the "last updated" date at the top. Material changes, such as adding a new category of tracking, will also reset the consent banner so you're asked again rather than carried over on an old answer.
Email us and we'll explain. We'd rather over-explain than have anyone uncomfortable about how the site works.