Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to produce a culture of openness in public bodies, by providing members of the public with the right to access information held. GP Practices, although not government owned, are considered to be ‘public bodies’ for the purposes of this Act. Therefore, members of the public (not necessarily patients) can request the information – this right came into force in 2005. GP practices are required to make information available via a “publication scheme”. This may be held in paper form or by electronic means. It will include information commonly requested and is available on request. The practice’s publication scheme follows the model scheme for GP practices approved by the Information Commissioner.
The GP practice publication scheme
The publication scheme requires us to make information available as part of our normal business activities. The scheme lists information under seven broad classes, which are:
- who we are and what we do
- what we spend and how we spend it
- what our priorities are and how we are doing it
- how we make decisions
- our policies and procedures
- lists and registers
- the services we offer
Note: Information related to individual / health / clinical records, is not available under this legislation.
Fees
The information contained within the publication is available at no charge. In some circumstances, a fee may be charged for the provision of information, and the classes of information incurring a fee are listed in the publication scheme document. Please ask reception for a copy.
Who can request information?
Under the Act, any individual, anywhere in the world, is able to make a request to a practice for information. An applicant is entitled to be informed in writing, by the practice, whether the practice holds information of the description specified in the request and if that is the case, have the information communicated to him.
How should requests be made?
Requests must:
- be made in writing (this can be electronically) to the following address:
Carmel Medical Practice
Nunnery Lane
Darlington
DL3 8SQ
for the attention of The Practice Manager
- state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence
- describe the information requested.
For more information see these websites: