Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on ppo.gov.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Google Analytics
Name	Purpose	Expires
_ga	Used to distinguish users.	2 years
_ga_D1H32FBDD0	Used to persist session state.	2 years

Google Analytics Events
Name	Purpose	Expires
_ga	Used to distinguish users.	2 years

Video Streaming
Name	Purpose	Expires
YouTube	YouTube videos play in privacy-enhanced mode. This mode may set third-party cookies on your computer when you click on the YouTube video player. These cookies will not be personally identifiable.	Read the YouTube policy
Vimeo	Vimeo videos set third-party cookies to enable the video to play and collect analytics data. These cookies do not track individuals.	Read the Vimeo policy

Social Media
Name	Purpose	Expires
Twitter/X	Twitter/X widgets may add cookies to help analyse usage and remember your session if you are also logged in to your Twitter account.	Read the Twitter/X policy

All users
Name	Purpose	Expires
wordpress_test_cookie	This is used to test whether the browser accepts cookies	When you close your browser
PHPSESSID	This is used to link your device to the information sent to the server from your browser. It is typically used to avoid you having to retype information when moving from one page to another.	When you close your browser
ccfw-banner-hidden	Lets us know you have chosen which cookies are used so we can stop the cookie banner appearing when you return to the site.	1 year
ccfw-gtm-allowed	Lets us know you have accepted certain cookies so we can stop them loading when you return to the site.	1 year
ccfw-time	This is used to store the cookie expiry dates so we know when to ask you again for consent.	1 year
info_banner_dismissed	This remembers if an information banner has been dismissed and prevents it from being displayed again.	When you close your browser

Logged in users
Name	Purpose	Expires
wordpress_[hash]	This authenticates you when you log in to the admin area	When you close your browser
wordpress_logged_in	This shows the site that you’re logged in and who you are so you can access the functions you need	When you close your browser
wordpress_sec	If you are logged in as a site admin, this stores your authentication details.	When you close your browser
wp-settings-{time}-[UID]	The number on the end [UID] is your individual user ID from the users database.	1 year

If you’re not happy with how we have investigated a complaint

If you are not satisfied with how the PPO or IPCI have handled an investigation, you can complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).

The PHSO can look into complaints from people who believe they’ve been treated unfairly due to mistakes made by our office.

How to appeal

Complain online

Complain by using the online complaint form. The person making the complaint will need to register and login to do this.

Complain in writing

If you can’t do it online or are helping someone appeal, you can download a complaints form. A Member of Parliament (MP) will need to sign it and send it to the PHSO.

Find your MP’s contact details

Contacting the PSHO

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Citygate
Mosley Street
Manchester
M2 3HQ

Telephone: 0345 015 4033

Email: phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk