The Optical Shop is an independent group of three practices in Hounslow, Staines and Woking. Offering Designer Glass, Sunglasses, Kids Glasses and many Accessories

The Optical Shop - Staines, Woking and Hounslow

	Welcome to The Optical Shop
		- High standards of eyecare - One hour prescription Service - Vast choice of frames and lenses - Value for money - Corporate on-site vision screening service - Large stocks of contact lenses

NHS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION PROJECT BOARD MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR OPTICIANS AND OPTOMETRISTS

Welcome to the Publication Scheme for The Optical Shop Opticians and Optometrists working within the practice. 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 THE OPTICAL SHOP and Optometrists working at :-

	186 High Street Hounslow TW3 1HL
	3 The Elmsleigh Centre Staines TW18 4QB
	30 The Peacocks Woking GU21 6GD

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.

The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated.

The information within each Class is available in hard copy from the addresses above.

	In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about The Optical Shops 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 any of the above addresses to do this.

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: The Optical Shop at the addresses above.

Classes of Information

All NHS information at the The Opical Shop 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:

All complaints should be addressed to the practice manager.

General policies and procedures in use within the practice, include, but are not restricted to, data protection, prescribing and prescription, health and safety

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 not charge you only for hard copies 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.

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 The Optical Shop.

c) e-mail-will be free of charge unless it says otherwise

The charges will be reviewed regularly.

Useful Resources

	Information Commissioner’s web site
	Lord Chancellor’s Department web site
	NHS Freedom of Information web site and Primary Care Trust web site

Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to The Optical Shop 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