The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a publication scheme. A publication scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available.
Publication scheme
This publication scheme provides a guide to the services and practitioners who practice together within Great Massingham and Docking Surgeries as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
It based on the model publication scheme for general practices produced by the NHS Freedom of Information (FOI) project board and the British Medical Association.
Part one: introduction
This publication scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Dr Diana Black, Dr Sally Hall, Dr James Dorling, Dr Julia Ince & Dr Will Kerss. It is a description of the information about Great Massingham and Docking Surgeries and the GPs that work there that is available to the public. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.
Your rights to information
- 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.
- The FOI Act will oblige the general 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.
- In addition to accessing the information identified in this publication scheme, you are entitled to request information about Great Massingham and Docking Surgeries under the NHS Openness Code 1995.
- Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact the practice manager at our main practice at Great Massingham, to do this.
- 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.
How much does it cost?
Publications are all free unless otherwise indicated. Where there is a charge for providing information the cost will be calculated as set out in each class.
How do we make information available?
Information may be downloaded from our practice website / otherwise it is available in hard copy from the practice manager as indicated for each class of information.
Feedback
If you have any comments about the operation of this publication scheme, or how we have dealt with your request for information from the scheme, please write to:
The Practice Manager
Great Massingham Surgery
Station Road
Great Massingham
King’s Lynn
Norfolk
PE32 2JQ
Part two: classes of information
All information at the Great Massingham and Docking Surgeries 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 the protection of commercial interests and the protection of confidential personal information under the Data Protection Act 2018. This applies to all classes within the publication scheme.
The information included in this scheme is grouped into 7 broad categories.
Class 1 information
Details of the practice, organisational structure, key personnel and how we fit into the NHS.
Who we are
Great Massingham and Docking Surgeries
c/o Station Road
Great Massingham
King’s Lynn
Norfolk
PE32 2JQ
This NHS practice is part of the West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group.
The practice aims to follow National Guidelines for Clinical Excellence and National Service Framework Guidelines. The NHS is a very large part of the public sector.
A full list of our services are at class 2 below.
Class 2 information
The range of services we provide under contract to the NHS.
Our services
Please visit our surgery clinics page.
Some services require information sharing with other health care agencies.
Great Massingham Surgery opening hours
- Weekdays, 8:30am to 6:30pm
- Saturdays, 9:30am to midday (alternate weeks as improved access clinics)
- Sundays: Closed
Bayfield Surgery, Docking opening hours
- Weekdays, 8:30am to 6:30pm
Class 4 information
Guidance and information leaflets.
Regular publications and information for the public
The following published information is available:
- Practice booklet
- Diabetes information, also available from the diabetic nurse
- Holiday health and immunisations leaflets
- Mental health information for older people
All of these publications are free of charge and are available in the waiting areas of the surgeries.
Class 5 information
Policies, procedures and contacts for complaints.
Complaints
This practice follows the NHS complaints procedure and follows a strict protocol when dealing with all complaints.
A copy of the practice complaints procedure is available from:
The Practice Manager
Great Massingham Surgery
Station Road
King’s Lynn
Norfolk
PE32 2JQ
Class 6 information
General policies and procedures in use within the practice.
Our policies and procedures
- Data protection
- Prescribing and prescription policy
- Zero tolerance policy
- Health and safety
- Moving and handling
- Safety statement protocol
- Hazards statement protocol
- Information sharing protocol
- Fire orders protocol
- Needle stick injury protocol
- Disposal of sharps protocol
- Control of substances hazardous to health protocol (COSHH)
- Child protection protocol
- Visual display screen protocol
- Equal opportunities protocol
Class 7 information
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 Trust. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.
Part three: useful resources
Websites
- Information Commissioner’s Office – www.ico.org.uk
- Lord Chancellor’s Department – www.gov.uk/government/organisations/lord-chancellors-department
- NHS Freedom of Information – www.digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/contact-us/freedom-of-information
Copyright
All material available through this publication scheme is subject to the general
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 please visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/browse-guidance-standards
