The Publication Scheme is 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 Paul Rose BSc.(Hons) D.Opt working at Harvey Rose & Sons. It is a description of the information about our NHS services, which 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 all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class [with £]. Where information is provided at a cost, the charges will be calculated as set out in Class 7.

How is the information made available?

The information within each Class is downloadable from our website.

Your rights to 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. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 recognises that members of the public have the right to know how public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how the decisions are made. From January 1st 2005 it will oblige the practice to respond to requests about information that it holds, and is recorded in any format and it will create a right of access to that information. These rights are subject to some exemptions, which have to be taken into consideration before deciding what information it can release. 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 Paul Rose at the practice 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: Paul Rose Bsc(Hons) D.Opt., 336 London Road, Westclii-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JJ

CLASSES OF INFORMATION

All NHS information at Harvey Rose & Sons is held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information which can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are e.g. the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to all Classes within the Publication Scheme. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following broad categories:

1. Who we are

This is an independent practice with Mr. Paul Rose BSc.(Hons) D.Opt being the sole, full time optometrist. Paul Rose was first registered with the GOC in 1983 and acts as practice manager.

Our Services

We provide sight testing and dispensing services under the NHS in our fully equipped consulting rooms. The practice is open Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 9.00am to 5.30pm and Sat from 9.00am to 4.00pm. English is the main language spoken and we do not have access to interpreters.

3. Financial and funding information

We receive £19.32 for each NHS sight test that is conducted for the PCT.

4. Regular publications and information for the public

We do not produce any regular publications, but information leaflets supplied by the NHS are freely available in the practice.

5. Complaints

All complaints should be addressed to Paul Rose BSc.(Hons) D.Opt either in person or in writing at the practice address.

6. Our policies and procedures

All patient data is held on password protected databases or in written form on record cards. Prescriptions issued may be dispensed by us or at any other outlet of the patient’s choice. A first aid kit is held on the premises.

7. 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 enquires regarding information management generally in the Trust. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.

Cost of Information

For the most part, we will charge you only for hard copies [or copying onto media (e.g. CD ROM)]. Some information is available free, but for others there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows: a) Via the Opticians/Primary Care Trust Web Site –Free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual. For those without Internet access, a single print-out as on the website would be available by post from the practice address, or by personal application at the practice. However, requests for multiple printouts, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer accessible or available on the web, may attract a charge for the retrieval, photocopy, postage etc. We will let you know the cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance. We will not provide printouts of other organisation’s websites. b) Leaflets and brochures-free of charge for leaflets or booklets on, for example, services we offer to the public. c)“Glossy” or other bound paper copies, or in some cases a CD Rom, video or other mediums, are chargeable. d) email-will be free of charge unless it says otherwise. The charges will be reviewed regularly.

Useful Resources - web sites

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk This is the Information Commissioner’s web site www.lcd.gov.uk This is the Lord Chancellor’s Department web site www.foi.nhs.uk This is the NHS Freedom of Information web site

Publications

NHS Openness Codewww.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/codemain.htm FOI Act 2000www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts2000/2000036.htm Code of Practice under Section 45 FOI Act 2000www.lcd.gov.uk Code of Practice under Section 46 FOI Act 2000www.lcd.gov.uk

Copyright

Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to Harvey Rose & Sons’ 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 which 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