Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

This is the publication scheme for Brignall Opticians Ltd., which is required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Introduction

This is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Brignall Opticians Ltd. 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 within each Class is available in hard copy from:

Brignall Opticians Ltd, 33 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1HP

This guide information

We will publish any changes we make to this guide or relevant information. We will 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 are as follows and will be reviewed regularly.

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 practices 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 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:

Brignall Opticians Ltd, 33 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1HP

Classes of Information

All NHS information at Brignall Opticians Ltd 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

Brignall Opticians Ltd. is an independent optical practice. Our aim is to deliver the best eyecare for all our patients, including seeking out specialist solutions where required.
We only operate from 33 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1HP.
Details of the opticians and optometrists employed in our practice can be obtained by contacting that practice directly.
Alternatively, details of all opticians and optometrists registered in the UK are available from the General Optical Council Tel: 0207 580 3898.
Company Registration number 08295079.

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

For every sight test performed on behalf of the NHS the practice receives a set fee, which is fixed nationally. This practice also carries out the following enhanced services on behalf of the NHS: Coronavirus Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES). The fees paid by the NHS for each service are available from the practice on request. They include a contribution towards optometrists’ and staff salaries, equipment costs and other practice overheads. Information in this class will be published only where it is unlikely adversely to affect the commercial position of the firm or practice.

Full details of the company accounts can be found at Companies House.

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(s) held with NHS England and the CCG for our area.

5) Our policies and procedures

Complaints
Data protection
Health and safety

They are available on request from the practice manager. Please write to us at 33 New Road,Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1HP.

Complaints: If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, please do discuss any problems with the manager at Brignall Opticians Ltd 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 receive please contact us on 01249 653292. A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request.

6) Lists and Registers

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

7) The Services We Offer

Brignall Opticians Ltd provide 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. To find out if you are eligible for this assistance please follow this link http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-voucher-values.aspx.

Appointments for sight tests can be booked over the phone, at https://brignallopticians.co.uk or by dropping into the practice.

Opening times are Mon - Fri 9.00-17.30, Sat 9.00-12.30 but can vary during public holidays, so please call to confirm.

Regular publications and information for the public

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

Some of this information is also available in patient leaflets. These are freely available from our practice. To request a set of leaflets by post, please write to: Brignall Opticians, 33 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1HP