Registration (via the ‘Register’ option) and logging in (‘Login’) is recommended, as you will then not need to re-enter your name and email address every time you post, and your posts will not normally be subject to moderation before they become visible to others; once logged in, there is no need to logout. You can add topics and replies as a guest, simply by entering your name and an email address, but in order to keep the forum spam-free such postings will be subject to moderation (purely to ensure that they are legitimate) – this should normally be a quick process.

The main Forum page shows a list of topics with the ones which have most recently been updated at the top. To start a new discussion, click the ‘Add topic’ button; to view an existing discussion, click on the topic title. Posts within a topic are shown in reverse chronological order, so the newest posts are at the top.

When viewing a topic, by default any posts that you add will be appended directly to the topic. If you want to reply to a specific post within the topic, thus creating or extending a nested conversation inside the thread, select the ‘Reply’ button underneath that post.

The topic/post editor allows the inclusion of formatting, along with spoilers and emojis. If you notice any errors in a posting following submission, you have 10 minutes in which to edit or delete it by selecting the 📝 (pen and paper) or 🗑 (waste bin) icons towards the bottom right of the post. If you want to see what your post will look like, select the ‘Preview’ option once you think it is ready for submission.

To return to the main screen at any time, select ‘Forum’ from the menu. The ‘Recent Posts’ menu item will give you a hierarchical view of recent topics and posts, with hyperlinks to the underlying postings. For registered users, the ‘My Profile’ option provides information about your forum activity, including any topics to which you have subscribed. To search the forum for a particular term, use the 🔍 (magnifying glass) button at the right of the menu.

If you have any problems accessing the forum, or questions about its use, please either add a comment on the Site Feedback page or email the Clinic.

A link to the forum rules can be found at the bottom of the page.