Stephen J Manton B.Sc.(Hons.), F.C.Optom.

Freedom of Information Act 2000                                    

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public authorities by providing people with rights of access to the information held by them. It is expected that these rights will facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money.

The public will be able to gain access to information held by public authorities in two ways. Firstly, from January 2005, they will have the right to request any information held by a public authority (although this right is fettered by a number of provisions exempting disclosure). Secondly, from 31 October 2003, every health sector public authority must make some information available as a matter of course through a publication scheme, with information included in the publication scheme being routinely made available to anyone who asks for it. A publication scheme is therefore both a commitment to make certain information available and a guide to how and where that information is available. All publication schemes have to be approved by the Information Commissioner.

To comply with the Freedom of Information Act, a publication scheme must specify;

· the classes (or types) of information that will be published,

· the manner in which the information is to be published and

· whether the material is intended to be made available free of charge or for a fee

THE PUBLICATION SCHEME

Introduction

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Stephen J Manton Optometrist working at 256 Earlsdon Avenue North, Coventry CV5 6GX.  It is a description of the information about NHS services which I make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and I will monitor its effectiveness.

How much does it cost?

The publications are free.

How is the information made available?

The information is downloadable from my website or available in hard copy from the Practice

Your rights to information

· In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about my 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 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 the Practices 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 me at the above address or <e-mail the Practice>

CLASSES OF INFORMATION

All NHS information at the Practices is held, retained and destroyed in accordance with NHS guidelines. My 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 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 I am

Mr Stephen J Manton, first registered with the General Optical Council 1972. I am under contract to Coventry Primary Care Trust to provide Eye Tests and NHS Vouchers for the supply of Spectacles to those people who qualify and to provide Diabetic Retinal Screening as part of the screening programme in Coventry.  

2. Services

<Practice Hours>    <Eye Examination>    <NHS Vouchers>    <Spectacles>   <Contact Lenses>

3. Financial and funding information

I receive a fee from the NHS for each eye test carried out and the value of the NHS Voucher where applicable for each dispensing of spectacles.

4. Regular publications and information for the public

This web site is updated monthly

5. Complaints

See: <Complaints>

6. Policies and procedures

NHS eye tests and NHS Optical Vouchers are provided under the NHS terms of service. Patients are only seen by appointment. Patient records are paper based and also kept on computer (the Practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 for this purpose). All patients are entitled to a copy of their optical prescription following an eye test which they may present to another optician for dispensing. Private eye examinations and spectacles are also provided to those not entitled to NHS services. <Eye Examination>   <Spectacles>   <Contact Lenses>

7. This Publication Scheme

In this class I will publish any changes that are made to this Publication Scheme.

Cost of Information

Free of charge downloaded from this web site or  for those without Internet access, as a single print-out available by personal application at the Practices.

Useful Resources

Web sites:

Information Commissioner's:  www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Lord Chancellor's Department:  www.lcd.gov.uk

NHS Freedom of Information:  www.foi.nhs.uk

NHS web site:  www.nhs.uk

The General Optical Council: www.optical.org

Publications:

· NHS Openness Code www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/codemain.htm

· FOI Act 2000 www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts2000/2000036.htm

· Code of Practice under Section 45 FOI Act 2000 www.lcd.gov.uk

· Code of Practice under Section 46 FOI Act 2000 www.lcd.gov.uk