This is Harwell Dental Practice's Publication Scheme as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

This document is based upon the NHS Freedom of Information Project Board Model Publication Scheme for Dentists March 2003

PLEASE NOTE

• WE DO NOT ROUTINELY OFFER NHS TREATMENT
• AS A CONCESSION TO PATIENTS ENROLLED ON OUR PRIVATE SCHEME WE WILL TREAT THEIR CHILDREN ON THE NHS
• THEREFORE THIS DOCUMENT MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELEVANT TO THE MAJORITY OF OUR PATIENTS

Introduction

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Harwell Dental Practice. It is a description of the information about our Dental Practitioner and Practice which we make publicly available. Some information is not made publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.

How much does it cost?

Some information is freely available from this website and some leaflets are available free from the practice. Hard copies of additional information will attract an administration charge at the maximum level permitted by the legislation.

How is the information made available?

The information within each Class can be viewed via the practice website or available in hard copy from the practice (see note above regarding costs)

Your rights to information

• In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about Harwell Dental Practice 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 1^st 2005 it will oblige the Dental 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 dental records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact the practice 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 Harwell Dental Practice.

CLASSES OF INFORMATION

All information at the Harwell Dental Practice 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

Michael D. Bellew  Dental Surgeon
Jan Chapman  Dental Hygienist

2. Our Services

WE DO NOT ROUTINELY PROVIDE NHS SERVICES

As a concession to patients enrolled on our private scheme, we will treat their children under the NHS.

3. Financial and funding information

2% of the gross turnover of Harwell Dental Practice comes from NHS sources.

4. Regular publications and information for the public

Information is published on this website and some leaflets are available from the practice.

5. Complaints

We have a complaints procedure based on the 'Admor' documents that complies with NHS regulations.

6. Our policies and procedures

General policies and procedures in use within the practice are available on this website.

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 practice. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.

.

Cost of Information

At the time of writing (May 2003) maximum administration charges had not been set by the regulator. As providing extra information has a cost in both staff time and the provision of copies, we will charge fees whenever it is permitted by legislation.

The charges will be reviewed regularly.

Useful Resources

Web sites:

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

This is the Information Commissioner’s web site.

www.lcd.gov.uk

This is the Lord Chancellor’s web site

www.nhs.foi.uk

This is the NHS Freedom of Information web site

Primary Care Trust web site

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

Material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the Dental Practice’s 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
 
 

Harwell Dental Practice