PUBLICATION SCHEME

Welcome to the publication scheme for N & J Robinson Optometrists, 64 Front Street, Monkseaton.Telephone 0191 2516102. It is a description of the information about our NHS services which we make publicly available and applies to Nigel Robinson BSc.M.C.Optom and Judith Robinson Bsc.M.C.Optom.The idea of the scheme is to promote openness about the way in which public funds are used in providing an NHS optical service and to provide freedom of information. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness. 

How much does it cost ?

The publications are free (However see below for requests for multiple publications)

How is the information made available ?

The information is either downloadable from our website or available in printed form from the above address.

Your rights to information

1. In addition to accessing the information identified in the publication scheme , you are entitled to request information about our NHS services under the NHS Openness code 1995.
2. 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 public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how the decisions are made.
3. From January 2005 it will oblige the 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 account before deciding what information it can release.
4. New environmental information regulations may be introduced as early as  2003. These will enable similar access as through the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
5. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you. You can contact Mrs.Tracy Moulding, practice manager 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, please write to Mrs. Tracy Moulding, Practice Manager at the above address.

Classes of Information

Who we are

We are a community based optometric practice. Key Personnel are

1. Mrs. Judith Robinson BSc.(hons)MC.Optom-optometrist in attendance Monday mornings, Saturdays, Wednesdays
2. Mr. Nigel Robinson BSc.(hons).MC.Optom-optometrist in attendance Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday evenings and Fridays.

    lv. Mrs.Tracy Moulding - Practice Manager.

Our Services

Under the NHS we provide

 Free eye examinations for 

1. Patients over60 
2. Diabetics
3. Patients over 40 who have a direct relative with glaucoma.
4. Patients with glaucoma.
5. Children under 16.
6. Children aged 16 to 19 who are in full time education.
7. Patients who are blind or partially sighted.
8. Patients who are requiring complex lenses, which is lenses over 10.00D in power.
9. Patients on income support.
10. Patients on income based job seekers allowance.
11. Patients on working family tax credit.
12. Patients who have a relevant HC2 form and are shown to qualify on income grounds. If you feel you would like to apply for help on income grounds then please call in to any optician, dentist or post office and ask for an HC1 form.

On completion of your eye examination you will be issued with a prescription which can be dispensed at an optician's of your choice.

Dispensing of glasses and contact lenses

If you are  in category e to l inclusive and you are found to need a change in your prescription , then you will be issued with an NHS voucher which can be used towards your new glasses or contact lenses. The amount of help you receive from the government will depend on the strength of lens you require but you will be able to obtain a basic frame and lenses at no charge if you are on a full voucher. The voucher you are provided with is given a coded letter depending on the strength of the lens. Voucher values are as follows:

A  £36.20
B  £55.10
C  £80.60
D  £182.00
E  £62.70
F  £79.70
G  £103.30
H  £200.10

Complex sv  £13.70
Complex bif  £34.60
Tints sv    £4.00/lens
Tints bif    £4.50/lens
Prisms sv  £11.80/lens
Prisms bif  £14.20/lens

Glasses adjustments and repairs

Children under 16 are entitled to free or subsidised repairs. Free adjustments and the fitting of new screws are undertaken at no charge except in some rimless or specialist sunglasses where a small charge is sometimes made.

Financial and funding information.

We are remunerated by the NHS  at the rate of £18.95 for all eye examinations undertaken in the above categories. We can also claim back your NHS voucher which can be used towards glasses or contact lenses. If you require glasses then you can either choose one of the free pairs or use your voucher towards a more expensive pair and you pay the difference. The frames are all clearly marked with price and should you decide for one of these options then all the prices will be fully explained to you. It is not possible to list all the supplementary charges due to the large number of variables but as a guideline

Single vision supplement into the majority of private frames is £10

Bifocal supplement £15.

There is a range of frames that carries no supplementary charge.

Regular publications and information to the public

We carry a range of information leaflets, available free of charge, which cover topics such as 

The eye examination and guides to different types of contact lenses. We also have a supply of HC1 forms which describe your steps to applying for financial assistance.

Complaints

We take any complaints about our service or products very seriously. Initial complaint should be to the practice manager . Should you fail to get satisfaction then we would ask you to book an appointment with Nigel or Judith Robinson. In the unlikely event that you are still dissatisfied then we invite you to write to the OCCS which is an independent consumer advisory board. This can be contacted at www.opticalcomplaints.co.uk or by post to

The Administrator, OCCS, P.O.Box 4685 London.SE16ZB.
Telephone 020 72611017.

Alternatively if you have a complaint about a health service procedure you can contact the administrator of Newcastle and North Tyneside FHSA.

Tyne and Wear Contractor Services, 2nd Floor, Bede House,All Saints Business Centre,Newcastle. NE1 2ES.

Our Policies and procedures

Prescribing spectacles

Once your eyes have been examined, you will be either handed a copy of your prescription or a statement indicating that no prescription is required. You are free to have the prescription made up at an outlet of your choice. Should you lose your prescription, we are happy to provide you with a replacement at no charge.

Data protection

We are registered under the data protection act to hold details of patients name and address on file for the purpose of patient reminders. We hold details of patients eye examinations in hard copy format, and recently on protected hard drive, which are not available to anyone but the individual in question and members of staff. Everything undertaken in the eye examination is treated as confidential.

Health and Safety

We have a health and safety manual which is available for inspection at the above address. This covers 

Fire prevention and procedure of drills, prevention of accidents, risk assessments, first aid procedures and care with electricity.

7.This publication scheme

We endeavor to keep the scheme up to date and it will be reviewed regularly. The information is available free of charge as a text document  from the above address or via our website www.robinsonoptometrists.co.uk  where only charges for internet provider and personal printing costs would have to be met.

Requests for multiple copies would incur a charge to cover printing costs. We will let you know the charge which must be paid in advance.

e-mail will be free of charge.

We will regularly review our charges.

Copyright

Material available throughout this publication is subject to N & J Robinson Optometrist'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