Publication Scheme

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 0AZ

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
J.A Hicks Optometrist
25 Nile Street
North Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE29 0AZ

Telephone: 0191 2571093

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 you are eligible for assistance please ask for details in our practice.

Too view our opening hours and full contact details, please see the contact us page.

3 – Financial and funding information
For every eye test performed on behalf of the NHS the opticians practice receives a set fee of £21.30. 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 0AZ

Complaints
If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, we recommend that you first discuss any problems with Catherine Reid who is 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 0AZ

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