Freedom of Information Act and Policy

This document complies with the requirements of the Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme for Eyecare Anywhere in accordance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 and fulfils the obligations on opticians’ practices under the Act.

Introduction

This is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Eyecare Anywhere.  It is a description of the information about our NHS services that we make publicly available.  It will be reviewed at regular intervals.

How is the information made available?

The information is available in hard copy from:

Barbara Watson, Eyecare Anywhere, 105 Haigh Moor Road, Wakefield. WF3 1EG

This Guide Information

We will publish any changes we make to this guide or relevant information. We also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.

Cost of Information

For the most part, we will only charge for hard copies, or copies onto media.  Charges will be reviewed regularly and are as follows

  • Accessed from our website – free of charge
  • Single hard copies – free of charge
  • As the Freedom of Information Act applies to the provision of information, a request for multiple hard copies does not fall within the provisions of the Act and will attract a charge for retrieval, photocopying and postage.  We will inform you of the cost of these charges that will have to be paid in advance.
  • E-mail will be free of charge

Your Rights to Information

  • The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is designed to promote openness and accountability amongst all organisations that receive public money.
  • Like all NHS contractors, since 1 January 2005 there has been a FOI obligation on optical businesses to respond to requests about the NHS related information that they hold, and a right of access to that information has been established in law.
  • These rights are subject to exemptions (see below) that have to be taken into consideration before releasing information.
  • In addition to accessing the information identified in this guide, you are entitled to request information about our NHS services under the NHS Openness Code 1995.
  • Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you.

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 address below:

Barbara Watson, Eyecare Anywhere, 105 Haigh Moor Road, Wakefield. WF3 1EG

Classes of Information

All NHS information at Eyecare Anywhere is held, retained and destroyed within NHS guidelines.  Our commitment to publish information excludes any information that can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information Act 2000, the main reasons being the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998.  This scheme has been written in accordance with those exemptions.  The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following categories:

1)           Who we are and what we do

  • Eyecare Anywhere – supplier of domiciliary or home visits and corporate eye care.
  • Please contact the following person:

Barbara Watson, Eyecare Anywhere 07743730129

  • The resident Optometrist is Barbara Watson
  • Alternatively, details of all opticians and optometrists registered in the UK are available from the General Optical Council  Tel: 0207 580 3898.

2)       Financial and funding information: what we spend and how we spend it

For every sight test performed on behalf of the NHS the business receives a set fee, which is fixed nationally. The fees paid by the NHS for each service are available from the Barbara Watson on request. They include a contribution towards optometrists’ and staff salaries, equipment costs and other overheads. Information in this class will be published only where it is unlikely adversely to affect the commercial position of the business

3)       Our Priorities

To provide our patients with high quality eye care

4)       Decision Making

Any decisions made about the provision of NHS-funded services will be reflected in the services we provide and in the contract held with NHS England and Company covering multiple CCGs

5)      Our policies and procedures

  • Complaints
  • Data protection
  • Health and safety

They are available on request from website or 105 Haigh Moor Road Wakefield WF3 1EG

Complaints

If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, please do discuss any problems with Barbara Watson in the first instance. We find that most issues can be put right at this stage. If the matter cannot be resolved in this way or you are unsatisfied with the response you received please contact customer services on 01132530904. A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request or on our website

Lists and Registers

We don’t keep lists and registers. Our patient records are confidential.

The Services We Offer

Eyecare Anywhere provides private eye examinations and NHS-funded  sight tests for those who are eligible. Patients may also be entitled to NHS vouchers that can be used against the purchase of spectacles or contact lenses as required.

Appointments for sight tests can be booked over the phone. If you ring and we are unable to answer the phone please leave a message and we will return your call. You can contact us via the contact page of this website.

Regular Publication and Information for the public

Information about optical and ocular conditions, sight tests spectacles and contact lenses can be found on this website and on others such as www.college-optometrists.org

We have many patient leaflets containing useful information please contact us for this information

Useful Resources

Information Commisioner: – www.ico.gov.uk

Minstry of Justice: –   http://www.justice.gov.uk/what we do/freedom of information.htm

Freedom of Information Act 2000:- www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts200/20000036.htm