Freedom of Information Act
Publication Scheme
Welcome to the Publication Scheme for J.A. Hicks Optometrist, as required
by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Introduction
This Publication scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely
made available to the public by J.A. Hicks Optometrist. It is a description
of the information about our NHS services that we make publicly available.
It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.
How much does it cost?
The publications are free unless otherwise indicated. Where information
is provided at cost, the charges will be calculated as set out in class
7.
How is the information made available?
The information within each Class is available in hard copy from:
25 Nile Street
North Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE29 0EZ
or can be printed from this website.
Your Rights to Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is designed to promote openness
and accountability amongst all organisations that receive public money.
From January 1st 2005 it will oblige opticians' and optometrists' practices
to respond to requests about the NHS related information that it holds,
and will create a right of access to that information. These rights
are subject to some exceptions that have to be taken into consideration
before releasing information.
In addition to accessing the information identified in the publication
scheme, you are entitled to request information about our NHS services
under the NHS Openness Code 1995.
New environmental information regulations may be introduced as early
as 2003. These will enable similar access to environmental information
as under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access
your clinical records or any other personal information held about you
and you can contact any practice where your records are held to do this.
Feedback
If you have any comments about the operation of the Publication Scheme,
or how we have dealt with your request for information from the scheme,
please write to:
25 Nile Street
North Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE29 0EZ
Classes of Information
All NHS information at J.A. Hicks Optometrist is held, retained and
destroyed within NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information
excludes any information that can be legitimately withheld under the
exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information
Act 200. From 2005, individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the
main reasons being the protection of commercial interests and personal
information under the Data Protection ACt 1998. This Scheme had been
written in accordance with those exemptions. The information on this
Scheme is grouped into the following categories:
1 - Who we are
Practice Background
List of Practices including contact phone numbers
Details of all the Opticians and Optometrists employed in one of our
practices can be obtained by contacting that practice directly
Alternatively, details of all opticians and optometrists registered
in the UK are available from the General Optical Council - Tel 0207
580 3898
Company Registration number (if applicable)
2 - Our services
Our practice provides free NHS eye tests for those who are eligible.
You may also be entitled to vouchers that can be used against the purchase
of glasses or contact lenses if you require them. To find out if yo
are eligible for assistance please CLICK HERE (link to DoH NHS charges)
or ask for details in our practice.
Opening times - insert
3 - Financial and funding information
For every eye test performed on behalf of the NHS the opticians practice
receives a set fee of £16.72. This covers expenses such as optometrist
and staff salaries, equipment costs and other store overheads.
If you are not eligible of the NHS eye test, please contact the practice
for details of our current charges.
4 - Regular publications and information for the public
A complete set of information about optical and ocular conditions,
eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses can be found on a number of websites
including www.college-optometrists.org
Some of this information is also available in patient leaflets. These
are freely available from our practice. To request a set of leaflets
by post,please write to:
25 Nile Street
North Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE29 0EZ
Complaints
If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, we
recommend that you first discuss any problems with the manager at the
practice.
A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request.
5 - Our Policies and procedures
Complaints
Data Protection
Health & Safety
They are available on request from:
25 Nile Street
North Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE29 0EZ
6 - This Publication Scheme
In this class we will publish any changes we make to this publication
scheme, the criteria on which our information management policies are
made and a referral point for all enquiries regarding information management
policies generally in practice. We will also publish any proposed changes
or additions to publications already available.
Cost of information
For the most part, we will only charge for hard copies, or copies
onto media. Charges are as follows and will be reviewed regularly:
Single hard copies - free of charge
Multiple hard copies, or archived hard copies will attract a charge
for photocopying, retrieval and postage. We will inform you of the cost
of these charges that will have to be paid in advance.
Part 3 - Useful Resources
Websites:
Information Commissioner - www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Lord Chancellors Department - www.lcd.gov.uk
NHS Freedom of Information - www.foi.nhs.uk
Publications:
NHS Openness Code - www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/codemain.htm
Freedom of Information Act 2000 - www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm
Copyright
Material available through this publication scheme is copyright unless
otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, it
may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided it
is done so accurately in a manner that will not mislead. Where items
are re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source and
acknowledge copyright status. This permit does not extend to third party
material, accessed through the scheme. For HMSO guidance notes see www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm
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