Our editorial and AI policy

Our health content draws on clinical resources developed within DocTap with input from our doctors. We also monitor official UK health sources, including NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency and NICE.

These sources help us check that explanations of symptoms, tests, treatment options and when to seek medical help reflect current UK practice. Our editors translate technical information into clear language while keeping the original clinical meaning.

When we comment on health topics in the news, we may reference reporting from major news outlets. News coverage helps us understand the public conversation, but it is not used as the sole basis for health advice. Any health claims are checked against official guidance before publication.

Where evidence is developing or guidance differs depending on individual circumstances, we aim to make that uncertainty clear rather than present one answer as suitable for everyone.

Much of our health content is based on DocTap's internal clinical guides and resources, which are produced and maintained by our clinical team. Our editors draw on this material when preparing articles for the website.

An editor identifies what the article needs to explain, checks the relevant source material and structures the information around the questions a patient is most likely to have. The aim is to make content useful and easy to follow without turning general information into a personal diagnosis.

AI tools may help our editors prepare an early draft or organise information. AI does not publish anything on its own.

Any AI-assisted material is treated as a starting point. It must be checked, rewritten where necessary and brought into line with DocTap's sources, tone and editorial standards.

Every piece of content goes through editorial review before publication. A human editor checks accuracy, clarity and suitability, confirms that the scope and byline are appropriate, and makes the final decision to publish.

Where content covers a new or significant clinical topic that goes beyond our existing clinical resources, it is referred to our Medical Director for review before it goes live.

Clinical review is an additional safeguard for content that needs medical judgement. Human editors remain responsible for the suitability of the final page and the decision to publish it.

We review published articles from time to time. When official guidance changes, we update the affected content.

An update may involve clarifying wording, adding new context, replacing an outdated recommendation or correcting an error. Where a change affects the meaning of the information, the page is checked again before the revised version is published.

We prioritise updates when new official guidance could materially affect how a reader understands a health topic. Human editors remain responsible for deciding what needs to change and when the updated content is ready to go live.

The byline tells you which team is responsible for the published content. Content under the DocTap editorial team byline may cover health information as well as product, service and company updates.

Editorial-team content is prepared and checked by human editors. It does not mean that a doctor has assessed your individual circumstances, and it should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have symptoms, are worried about your health or need help making a decision about care, speak to a doctor or another appropriate healthcare professional.

If you think something on our site is inaccurate or out of date, email us at news@updates.co.uk and we will look into it.

When contacting us, it helps to include the page link and a short explanation of what appears to be wrong. A member of the team will review the point against the relevant source material and update the page if a change is needed.

This inbox is for editorial feedback and cannot provide personal medical advice. If your message concerns your own health, please contact a healthcare professional.

The GPs you will see at DocTap are all GMC-registered and work within DocTap's clinical governance framework. Their clinical knowledge contributes to the internal guides and resources that support our health content.

Meet our doctors to read about the clinicians providing care at DocTap and learn more about their experience and professional backgrounds.