Terminology server content licences agreement

1.1 Please read this content licences agreement carefully before you start to use the NHS England Terminology Server.

1.2. This is version 2.0 of this Content Licences Agreement, which was published on 1 February 2023.

2.1 The following definitions are used in this content licences agreement:

Authenticated user means a user that requires access to restricted content and/or requires update permissions within the Terminology Server. These users will require a Terminology Server account and will be required to login to the Terminology Server. 

Classification means a set of standardised groupings of information that allow for the translation of medical terminology used in healthcare settings into codes that can be easily tabulated, aggregated, and sorted for statistical analysis in an efficient and meaningful manner.

Content licence means an individual licence that applies to a specific Terminology or Classification. A list of Content Licences that are within the scope of this Content Licences Agreement is set out in Appendix 1.

Content licences agreement means this agreement which includes all licences for the individual Terminologies and Classifications held as Terminology Resources within the Terminology Server, setting out the terms and conditions on which a User may use the content within the Terminology Server.

Content owner means an individual, community, or organisation with responsibility for the maintenance and publication of Terminology Resources that are available within the Terminology Server. 

End-user agreement means the agreement (together with the documents and links referred to in it) setting out the terms and conditions on which Users may use the Terminology Server and which must be accepted in order for a User to access the Terminology Server.

Non-authenticated user means a user that requires access to public content and does not require update permissions within the Terminology Server. These users will not require a Terminology Server account and will not be required to login to the Terminology Server.

Service provider means contracted organisation (DH OpCo UK Ltd) providing the Terminology Server.

Terminology means a set of codes used in healthcare settings that describe a patient's complaint, problem, diagnosis, treatment, or other reason for seeking medical attention.

Terminology resource means the FHIR resources (CodeSystems, ValueSets and ConceptMaps) within in the Terminology Server.

Terminology server means the system that makes up the Terminology Service and Authoring Tool and includes Ontoserver, Atomio, Ontocloak, Snapper, Shrimp and OntoAdmin software components and is provided by the Service Provider.

3.1. This Content Licences Agreement (together with the documents and links referred to in it) set out the terms and conditions under which you may use the Terminology Resources made available within the Terminology Server.

3.2 The Terminology Resources within the Terminology Server may be used and re-used under the terms of the specific Content Licences applicable to the given Terminology or Classification as set out in Appendix 1 to this Content Licences Agreement. 

3.3 You are free to use the Terminologies and Classifications available within the NHS England Terminology Server, in accordance with the applicable Content Licences, and by accepting the terms and conditions of this Content Licences Agreement you agree to be bound by the terms of the applicable Content Licences.

3.4 You should inform the appropriate Content Owner immediately, should you find any errors in the Terminology or Classification so the Content Owners can rectify such issues as quickly as possible.

3.5 We recommend that you keep a log of how and where you use the Terminologies and Classifications to better prepare you for as and when new or updated data and products are published.

3.6. You may access and use the Terminology Server as an Authenticated User or as a Non-Authenticated User.

3.6.1 When accessing and using the Terminology server as an Authenticated User, you may do so only if you: 

(i) register for a Terminology Server account, and as part of the registration process you will be required to accept this Content Licences Agreement; and
(ii) agree to be legally bound by this Content Licences Agreement every time you access the Terminology Server. If at any time you do not agree to be legally bound by this Content Licence Agreement you must not access or use the Terminology Server.

3.6.2 The following table identifies the Content Licences that will apply and the Terminologies and Classifications that will be accessible when accessing the Terminology Server as an Authenticated User:

3.6.3 When accessing and using the Terminology server as a Non-Authenticated User, you may do so only if you:

(i) only require read access to content that has been published into the public domain (such as under the Open Government Licence); and
(ii) agree to be legally bound by this Content Licences Agreement every time you access the Terminology Server. If at any time you do not agree to be legally bound by this Content Licences Agreement you must not access or use the Terminology Server.

3.6.4  The following table identifies the Content Licence that will apply and the Terminologies and Classifications that will be accessible when accessing the Terminology Server as a Non-Authenticated User:

4.1. Following an update to the Content Licences Agreement, you may not be able to use the Terminology Server (or any of its functions, or access data) unless you have accepted any new or additional terms.

4.2. It is your responsibility to regularly check the Content Licences for updates however we will use reasonable endeavours to notify Users of any changes to the Content Licences of which we become aware.

5.1. If any part of this Content Licences Agreement becomes or is held by a court to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, this will not affect the validity of the remaining provision which will remain in full force and effect.

5.2. Ceasing to use the Terminology Server does not affect any provision of this Content Licences Agreement, which are expressly or by implication intended to continue on in effect.

5.3. We may transfer our rights and obligations under this Content Licences Agreement to another organisation at any time and at our discretion. You may not transfer your rights or obligations to anyone else.

5.4. No attempt by you to vary this Content Licences Agreement will be valid.

5.5. This Content Licences Agreement, its subject matter and formation (and any non-contractual disputes or claims), and the use of the website, are governed by English law. We both agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England in respect of any disputes or causes of action arising under these terms and conditions or the use of the Terminology Server.

6.1. If you have any queries about the use of the Terminology Server or this Content Licences Agreement, please contact us by email or post.

Email

Email us at [email protected] -  adding 'NHS England terminology server' to the email subject.

Post

Contact us by post at:

NHS England
7 and 8 Wellington Place
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 4AP

This appendix contains a list of Content Licences that are within the scope of this Content Licences Agreement, including a link to locations where the wording of the Content Licence can be read.