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 to:-  stephen@mantonoptician.co.uk

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.  

2. Services

PRACTICE HOURS

Monday 9.00am - 12.45pm   1.45pm - 5.30pm
Tuesday 9.00am - 12.45pm 1.45pm - 5.30pm
Wednesday 9.00am - 12.45pm 1.45pm - 5.30pm
Thursday 9.00am - 12.45pm 1.45pm - 5.30pm
Friday 9.00am - 12.45pm 1.45pm - 5.30pm

Consultations by appointment

EYE EXAMINATION INFORMATION

The eye examination comprises various tests to determine your standard of vision and if a correction is required. With the use of instrumentation an examination of the external and internal structures of the eye will be carried out to determine if there are any abnormalities which would require further attention. If necessary you will be referred to your GP, who may then refer you to see a consultant at the Hospital.

The eye examination fee is paid for by the NHS for those patients who :-

Evidence of your eligibility will be required at the time of your eye examination.

If you do not meet the above requirements, but cannot afford the cost of the eye examination or spectacles, then you may apply on form HC1 to the Social Security office.

If you are not entitled to an NHS eye examination then the fee is currently £24.00

Following the eye examination, should you require a new or changed prescription you may be entitled to an NHS optical voucher which can be used towards the cost of purchasing spectacles or contact lenses.

NHS VOUCHERS FOR SPECTACLES OR CONTACT LENSES

Vouchers are issued to those patients who:-

Evidence of your eligibility will be required before you order your spectacles or contact lenses.

The value of the voucher is determined by the strength and type of lenses prescribed and start at £35.50.

If you have form HC3 you may be entitled to a reduced value voucher.

If you do not meet the above requirements, but cannot afford the cost of spectacles, then you may apply on form HC1 to the Social Security office, who will determine if you are entitled to help with the costs.

If you are entitled to an NHS Voucher, we have a range of basic plastic frames which can be supplied free of charge including standard single vision or standard bifocal lenses. Altenatively you can use your voucher to help towards the cost of any other spectacles of your choice.

The exact cost of your lenses is complicated since it depends on the power, size and form of the prescription. The cost will be fully discussed with you at the time of dispensing following your eye examination.

Don't be caught out in the event of loss or breakage of your spectacles. Spare pairs can be purchased at 20% less than the normal charges within six months of the supply of your new spectacles. There is also a reduction of 10% on the cost of replacing lost or broken spectacles within one year of their supply.

You can have your prescription made with a protective tint for use in the sun. If you have a pair of spectacles that you are not using, then you can have them reglazed with prescription sun lenses. There is a choice of colour and darkness. Alternatively you may choose to have Photochomic lenses in grey or brown. These lenses can be worn with safety under most conditions. 

5. Complaints

It is the aim of this practice to ensure that you are entirely happy with the services and goods you have obtained. In support of this I operate a complaints procedure which adheres to nationally agreed criteria. This practice undertakes to give you the highest standard of service, and to deal quickly with any problems which might arise.

If you have a complaint or concern about the service you have received from this practice, please let us know.

I hope that most problems can be sorted out easily and quickly, often at the time they arise. If your problem cannot be sorted out in this way and you wish to make a complaint, I would like you to let me know as soon as possible - ideally within a matter of days or at most a few weeks - because this will enable us to establish what happened more easily. If it is not possible to do that, please let me have details of your complaint:

a) within 6 months of the incident that caused the problem; or

b) within 6 months of discovering that you have a problem, provided this is within 12 months of the incident.

Complaints should be addressed to, Mr.S.J.Manton. Alternatively you may ask for an appointment with me in order to discuss your complaint. I will ensure that your concerns are dealt with promptly.

I will acknowledge your complaint within two working days and aim to have looked into your complaint within ten working days of the date you raised it with me. I will then be in a position to offer you an explanation, or a meeting with me or my staff. When I look into your complaint, I shall aim to:

a) find out what happened and what went wrong:

b) make it possible for you to discuss the problem, if you would like this:

c) make sure you receive an apology where this is appropriate:

d) identify what I can do to make sure the problem does not happen again.

Please note that I keep strictly to the rules of clinical confidentiality. If you are complaining on behalf of someone else, I have to know that you have their permission to do so. A note signed by the person concerned will be needed, unless they are incapable( because of physical or mental illness) of providing this.

I hope that if you have a problem, you will use our practice complaints procedure. I believe this will give us the best chance of putting right whatever has gone wrong and an opportunity to improve our service.

This does not affect your right to approach the General Optical Council (for non-NHS patients) or Coventry Health (for NHS patients), if you feel you cannot raise your complaint with me or you are dissatisfied with the result of my investigation.

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.

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