Publication Scheme
Welcome to the Publication scheme for C4 Sightcare as 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 C4 Sightcare. It is a description of the information about our NHS services that 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 free unless otherwise indicated. When information is provided at 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:
C4 Sightcare
65 Newgate Street
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 1AY.
Or can be printed from this web site.
Your rights to Information
The Freedom of information Act 2000 is designed to promote openness and accountability
amongst all organisations that receive public money.
From January 1st 2005 it will oblige opticians, and optometrists, practices to respond to requests about the NHS related information that it holds, and it will create a right of access to that information. These rights are subject to some exemptions that have to be taken into consideration before releasing information.
- In addition to accessing the information identified in the publication scheme, you are entitled entitled to request information about our NHS services under the NHS Openness code 1995.
- 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 practice where your records are held 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 the practice in question.
Please click here for your local practice address
Classes of Information
All NHS information at C4 Sightcare is held, retained and destroyed within the NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information that can be legitimately withheld under exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code of Freedom of Information Act 2000. From 2005, individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons being the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This scheme had been written in accordance with those exemptions. The Information on this Scheme is grouped into the following categories:
1. Who we are
2. Our Services
3. Financial and Funding information
4. Regular publications and information for the public
Complaints
5. Our policies and procedures
6. The publication Scheme
For information regarding to these classes - Click here
