Privacy & Cookies

Family Compass (ICU) is committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how information is collected and used within the platform.

This page provides a summary of how Family Compass uses information and cookies.

Information you choose to provide

Family Compass may store information that you choose to enter, including:

Family & Friends Journal entries
Understanding (ICE: Ideas, Concerns & Expectations) entries
Personal Wellbeing Check-In responses
Question Prompt selections
Questions and notes
Other information you choose to save within the platform

This information is used to support your experience within Family Compass.

Important

Information entered into Family Compass is not routinely shared with healthcare professionals.

Family Compass is a support resource and does not provide direct communication with clinical teams.

If you have questions about a loved one's care, please contact the healthcare team responsible for their treatment.

Cookies

Family Compass may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Maintain secure login sessions
Remember user preferences
Improve user experience
Understand how the platform is being used
Support ongoing development and evaluation

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites function effectively.

Analytics

Family Compass may use anonymous analytics information to understand how the platform is used and to improve future development.

No analytics data is used to provide healthcare decisions or clinical advice.

User control

You can manage cookie settings through your web browser settings.

Disabling some cookies may affect certain aspects of platform functionality.

Research context

Family Compass (ICU) was developed through doctoral research at the University of Plymouth and informed by co-design work involving family members of critically ill patients, former ICU patients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.

Co-design study approval:

HRA Ethics Ref: 25/SW/0122

IRAS ID: 345183

Contact

If you have questions regarding Family Compass, please use the Contact Form.

Additional information

For information about University of Plymouth privacy and cookie governance, users may refer to:

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/help/cookie-policy