Terms and conditions

This website is hosted by the Flinders University of South Australia trading as 'CareSearch' (hereafter, 'we' or 'us'). By using this website, you acknowledge, accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions as amended from time to time.

About our content

Although we have attempted to ensure the information published on the CareSearch website (including all articles, research data, surveys, forums/chat rooms and commentary; hereafter 'Information') is as accurate and complete as possible, such Information may change from time to time. This may be because further research is developed and becomes available. Practice may also vary according to what is available locally (e.g., particular medications) and the experience and expertise of local health professionals. In addition, the CareSearch website is not a health service. The website provides general information only, and health professionals should use their best clinical judgement in the way in which it is used. These pages are intended to complement and not replace the care or advice of your health professionals. Individuals should seek professional medical care and advice as required.

You will not use the CareSearch website for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms and Conditions. You will not use the CareSearch website in any manner which could damage, disable, overburden, or impair the CareSearch website or interfere with any party’s use and enjoyment of the CareSearch website. You will not obtain or attempt to obtain Information or access to the CareSearch website through any means not intentionally made available or provided through the CareSearch website.

Privacy

The Privacy Act 1988 (hereafter ‘the Act’) and the Australian Privacy Principles generally apply to the private sector and all health service providers. Flinders University supports and endorses the Act and the Australian Privacy Principles. For more information on how your personal information is collected and used, please refer to the CareSearch Privacy Statement.

Notwithstanding this, you should be aware that there are inherent risks associated with the use of the Internet for the transmission of personal and private information. Flinders University disclaims any liability for such risks to the extent that they are outside of our reasonable control.

Quality assurance

CareSearch is an information partner of healthdirect, an Australian Government initiative. This partnership reflects a shared vision to provide relevant and reliable health and related information to Australian consumers.

Copyright

The Information authored by or on behalf of us and published on the CareSearch website is subject to all our intellectual property rights arising under law and statute, including the Copyright Act 1968. Permission is given for users to view, print and use the Information via the Internet and in electronic form, provided that it is for personal, domestic or genuine research purposes only and for purposes associated with the use of the CareSearch website (for example, a discussion forum). We do not give permission for any use of the Information for commercial purposes.

No Information authored by or on behalf of us may be copied, modified or reproduced in any way without our written permission.

The CareSearch website also publishes Information authored by other parties. We have made every effort to contact those authors or others who may have intellectual property rights, including copyright, in material in the literature database published on the CareSearch website. Please contact us if you believe that any copyright material has been used on the CareSearch website without the permission of the author.

Training materials

On-line training materials can be of value to Australian palliative care practitioners, but such materials are not intended to replace formal education and training. From time to time, we may publish such materials on the CareSearch website. However, use of online training materials should not be considered as a qualification in palliative care. No formal accreditation is offered via our website.

We use reasonable endeavours to review the source of the materials and to assess the credibility and qualifications of the author or organisation involved.

Funding, editorial control and advertising

CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. The funding is provided to enable the provision of evidence based palliative care information and materials to health professionals and health consumers. The funder does not influence editorial policies or quality processes.

We are not influenced by sponsorship, and express advertising or implied endorsement for any commercial products or services is strictly prohibited. Reference on our website to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, company, or trademark does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by us.

When visiting the CareSearch website, you may find pop-up advertisements. These advertisements were most likely produced by other websites you visited or by third-party software installed on your computer. We do not endorse or recommend products or services for which you may see a pop-up advertisement on your computer screen while visiting our website. All material contained within the advertised website, and on any pages to which it is linked, is completely independent of us and in no way represents our interests or policies.

The website is authorised by Professor Jennifer Tieman, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University. Editorial control is exercised by the CareSearch project team, details of which can be found in the ‘About Us’ page of the website.

Links to Third Party Sites

On the CareSearch website, we may provide links to a number of other websites. The inclusion of these links does not mean that they or their information, products, or services are endorsed or recommended by us. We do not exercise any control over the content on these websites, and you are subject to that website's privacy policy when you leave our website. We do not endorse and will not be liable for the content or use of adapted products that are incorporated on other websites. We are not responsible for the use of a link where a commercial charge applies. Individual users are responsible for any charges that their use may incur.

Collaborative content

Authority

Our blog is moderated by a moderator with appropriate expertise to monitor the quality of the information posted. Internet users posting comments on this blog should not be assumed to be health professionals.

Complementary

Comments posted on this blog should be designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician.

Confidentiality

We remind you that everyone can read and use your comments. You do not have the possibility to erase your own comments.

Comments

Internet users commenting on blogs must behave with respect and honesty at all times. Internet users may not post any commercial/advertising comment.

Internet users commenting on a blog must post information which is true and correct to their knowledge. We invite you to provide resources (references, links, etc.) on health/medical claims when possible and relevant.

Moderators reserve the right to erase, without notification, any comment they would judge inappropriate.

Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions in the Information. We assume no liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of Information. All access to and use of the Information is at the risk of the user.

You agree to indemnify CareSearch from and against any law suits claims costs losses and damages incurred relating to or arising from your use of the CareSearch website or your breach of these Terms and Conditions.

Termination

CareSearch reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to the CareSearch website.

Ownership

Unless otherwise stated in these Terms and Conditions, Flinders University claims ownership of the CareSearch website, the Information, and the copyright, intellectual property and trademarks contained on the website.

Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws applicable in South Australia and you agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of South Australia.

Please email any questions or concerns to the website administrator at caresearch@flinders.edu.au