Smith and Walker Version 2003.1
Introduction
This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by the Opticians and Optometrists working at Smith and Walker (Optometrists) Ltd. 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 available in hard copy from our head office at 16 High Street, Barton-on-Humber, DN18 5PD. E-mail rw@smithwalker.co.uk
Your rights to information
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 director 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:
Ralph Worfolk, Smith and Walker (optometrists) Ltd, 16 High St, Barton-on-Humber. DN18 5PD.
CLASSES OF INFORMATION
All NHS information at Smith and Walker (optometrists) Ltd. 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
We are a group of three practices within North and North East Lincolnshire. We are contracted by the local Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) to provide General Ophthalmic Services (Eye examinations) and certain other optometric services. The tables below show our practice addresses, their PCT’s and our professional personnel and company directors.
Practice |
Address |
Practice Manager |
Opening Hours |
PCT |
Barton-0n-Humber (Head Office) 01652 632315
|
16 High St Barton-on-Humber, N Lincs
|
Mr C Green |
Mon 9.00-19.45 Tue–Fri 9.00-17.30 Sat 9.00-12.00 |
North Lincs |
Winterton 01724 733754 |
1 High Street, Winterton, N Lincs
|
Mr T Carss |
Mon 14.00-19.45 Tue - Fri 9.00 -17.30 Sat Closed |
North Lincs |
Immingham 01469 572702 |
36 Kennedy Way, Immingham, NE Lincs
|
Mr E Smith |
Mon 9.00-19.45 Tue–Fri 9.00-17.30 Sat 9.00-12.00 |
North-East Lincs |
Name |
Position |
GOC Registration |
Date of registration |
Full/Part time |
Mr Russell Warner |
Optometrist |
01-10918 |
16/10/1981 |
Full Time |
Dr Lisa Skaff |
Optometrist |
01-18100 |
14/7/2000 |
Part Time |
Mr Thomas Edward Carss |
Optometrist Director |
01-8934 |
5/7/74 |
Full Time |
Mr Ralph Worfolk |
Optometrist Director |
01-11046 |
30/7/82 |
Full Time |
Mr Christopher Colin Green |
Dispensing Optician Director |
D-5619 |
8/9/89 |
Full Time |
Mr Robert Eastwood |
Dispensing Optician |
D-8864 |
5/4/00 |
Full Time |
Ms Nichola Anne Johnson |
Dispensing Optician |
D-10446 |
19/09/03 |
Full Time |
Ms Alison Marie Betts |
Optometrist |
01-15824 |
29/9/95 |
Part Time |
Mr David Wyndham |
Optometrist |
01-17963 |
8/2/2000 |
Full Time |
Ms Dawn Elizabeth Singleton |
Dispensing Optician |
D-7520 |
23/8/96 |
Part time |
(Full time >= 4 days per week)
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There are over 4500 Dispensing Opticians and 9000 Optometrists practicing in England, most of whom offer NHS services. Full details of all registered Opticians and Optometrists are available from the General Optical Council (www.optical.org Tel 0207 580 3898)
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Some information will be withheld, including personal, confidential information about individuals which is protected by the Data Protection Act 1998.
2. Our Services
The range of service we provide under contract to the NHS.
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Eye examination and provision of spectacles for those who are eligible
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Screening for Diabetic retinopathy
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Cataract assessment for fast track referrals
The above services are available at all of our practices. Appointments can be made by phone or in person at any one of our practices.
We can provide additional private services such as field screening, contact lens fitting, retinal photography, pupil dilatation and fundus inspection.
3. Financial and funding information
Eye examinations through the NHS are paid via the General Ophthalmic Services at the current national rate at the time of the examination.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocialcaretopics/Optical/index.htm
Vouchers for the issue, repair or replacement of spectacles and contact lenses provided through the NHS are reimbursed at the national rates set by the department of health.
Cataract assessment for fast track referrals is paid for at £37.50 per report.
4. Regular publications and information for the public
Each practice has a complaints procedure leaflet
Our web–site contains information about contact lenses, colour vision, the eye and its examination.
Additional information about optometric services can be found at www.college-optometrists.org
Minutes are kept of our directors meetings.
5. Complaints
If you have a complaint then please first discuss this with the manager at the practice concerned.
We have a practice complaints procedure, a copy of which is available from reception at each practice
6. Our policies and procedures
Our practices are registered under the data protection act.
We review health and safety issues and practice procedures at directors meetings on a regular basis. We have staff training sessions and appraisals.
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 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 or by personal application at our head office.
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. A list is available from our head office.
c) e-mail-will be free of charge unless it says otherwise
The charges will be reviewed regularly.
Useful Resources
Web sites:
This is the web site for Smith and Walker (Optometrists) Ltd.
This is the web site for North Lincolnshire PCT
This is the web site for North East Lincolnshire PCT
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
This is the Information Commissioner’s web site
This is the Lord Chancellor’s Department web site
This is the NHS Freedom of Information web site
Primary Care Trust web site
http://www.doh.gov.uk/ophthalmicservices
This site gives Department of Health information about the NHS policies and funding of General Ophthalmic Services
Publications
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NHS Openness Code www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/codemain.htm
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FOI Act 2000 www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts2000/2000036.htm
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Code of Practice under Section 45 FOI Act 2000 www.lcd.gov.uk
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Code of Practice under Section 46 FOI Act 2000 www.lcd.gov.uk
Copyright
Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to Smith and Walker (Optometrists) Ltd. 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