Cookie Settings



What are cookies?

Cookies are files saved on your phone, tablet or computer when you visit a website.

They store information about how you use the website, such as the pages you visit.

Cookies are not viruses or computer programs. They are very small so do not take up much space.

How we use cookies

We only use cookies to:

  • make our website work
  • measure how you use our website, such as which links you click on (analytics cookies), if you give us permission

We do not use any other cookies, for example, cookies that remember your settings or cookies that help with health campaigns.

We sometimes use tools on other organisations' websites to collect data or to ask for feedback. These tools set their own cookies.

Cookies that make our website work

We use cookies to keep our website secure and fast.

List of cookies that make our website work

Cookie names and purposes
Cookie name Purpose Expiry
nhsuk-cookie-consent Remembers if you used our cookies banner When you close the browser (if you do not use the banner) or 1 year (if you use the banner)

Cookies that measure website use

We also like to use analytics cookies. These cookies store anonymous information about how you use our website, such as which pages you visit or what you click on.

How to find your NHS number
Cookie Name Purpose(s) Cookie Lifespan
__utma Analytics 2 years
__utmb Analytics 30 minutes
__utmc Analytics Session
__utmt Analytics 10 minutes
__utmv Analytics 2 years
__utmz Analytics 6 months
_dc_gtm_<property-id> Analytics 1 minute
_ga Analytics 2 years
_ga_<wpid> Analytics 2 years
_gac_gb_<wpid> Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gaexp Analytics Set by customer; max of 93 days
_gaexp_rc Analytics 10 seconds
_gat[_<customname>] Analytics 1 minute
_gcl_au Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gcl_aw Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gcl_dc Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gcl_gb Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gcl_gf Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gcl_ha Analytics, Advertising 90 days
_gid Analytics 24 hours
_opt_awcid Analytics 24 hours
_opt_awgid Analytics 24 hours
_opt_awkid Analytics 24 hours
_opt_awmid Analytics 24 hours
_opt_expid Analytics 10 seconds
_opt_utmc Analytics 24 hours
AID Analytics, Advertising 13 months EEA UK / 540 days elsewhere
FCNEC Analytics 365 days
FPAU Analytics, Advertising 90 days
FPGCLAW Analytics, Advertising 90 days
FPGCLDC Analytics, Advertising 90 days
FPGCLGB Analytics, Advertising 90 days
FPID Analytics 2 years
FPLC Analytics 20 hours
PAIDCONTENT Analytics, Advertising 30 days
TAID Analytics, Advertising 14 days

Tell us if we can use analytics cookies