Freedom of Information Act (FOI): Model Publication Scheme
Guide for Information
Welcome to our Guide for Information for Chiltern Opticians Ltd as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Introduction
This is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Chiltern Opticians Ltd. It is a description of the information about our NHS services that we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals..
How much does it cost?
The publications are free unless otherwise indicated.
How is the information made available?
The information within each Class is available in hard copy from:
Chiltern Opticians Ltd
75 High street
Great Missenden
Bucks
HP16 0AL
Your Rights to Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is designed to promote openness and accountability amongst all organisations that receive public money.
Like all NHS contractors, since 1 January 2005 there has been a FOI obligation on opticians’ and optometrists’ practices to respond to requests about the NHS related information that it holds, and a right of access to that information has been established in law.
These rights are subject to some exemptions that have to be taken into consideration before releasing information.
In addition to accessing the information identified in this guide, you are entitled to request information about our NHS services under the NHS Openness Code 1995.
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:
Chiltern Opticians Ltd
75 High street
Great Missenden
Bucks
HP16 0AL
Classes of Information
All NHS information at Chiltern Opticians Ltd
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 2000. 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 guide has been written in accordance with those exemptions. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following categories:
Who we are
Details of the practice can be obtained by contacting our practice directly.
Alternatively, details of all opticians and optometrists registered in the UK are available from the General Optical Council Tel: 0207 580 3898.
2) Our services
All Chiltern Opticians Ltd provide 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 look on the NHS website under DoH NHS charges or ask for details in our practice.
Appointments for eye tests can be booked over the phone, e-mailing us or by dropping into the practice.
Telephone: 01494 868496
E-mail: info@chilternopticians.com
Address: Chiltern Opticians Ltd
75 High street
Great Missenden
Bucks
HP16 0AL
Opening times are:
9:30 -5pm Mon – Fri
Wed open till 7pm
Sat 9-3pm
3) Financial and funding information
For every eye test performed on behalf of the NHS the opticians practice receives a set fee. This includes a contribution towards optometrists and staff salaries, equipment costs and other store overheads.
If you are not eligible for the NHS eye test, please contact us for details of our current private charges.
Regular publications and information for the public
Information about optical and ocular conditions, eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses, can be found on www.chilternopticians.com
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:
Chiltern Opticians Ltd
75 High street
Great Missenden
Bucks
HP16 0AL
Complaints
If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, we recommended that you first discuss any problems with our Practice manager.
If the matter cannot be resolved in this way or you are unsatisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Director on 01494 868496. A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request and can be found in Class 6.
Our policies and procedures
Complaints
Data protection
They are available on request from
Chiltern Opticians Ltd
75 High street
Great Missenden
Bucks
HP16 0AL
This guide information
We will publish any changes we make to this guide or relevant information. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.
Cost of Information
Accessed from our website – free of charge
Single hard copies – free of charge
Multiple hard copies, or archived 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.
E-mail will be free of charge.
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
January 2009
For HMSO Guidance notes on FOI publication schemes see www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm.