Introduction

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Beacon Primary Care General Practitioners. It is a description of the information about our General Practitioners and Practice which we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness.

	How much does it cost?
	The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class.  Where information is provided at a cost the charges will be calculated as set out in Class 7.
	How is the information made available?
	The information within each Class is either downloadable from the practice website or available in hard copy from: Practice Manager, Beacon Primary Care, Sandy Lane Health Centre, Skelmersdale Lancashire WN8 8LA

Your rights to information

	In addition to accessing the information identified in the Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about Beacon Primary Care General 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 1st 2005 it 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.
	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 clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact: Senior Partner or Practice Manager Beacon Primary Care Sandy Lane Health Centre Skelmersdale Lancashire WN8 8LA to do this.

Classes of Information

All information at the Beacon Primary Care General 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:

More details about each class are available by clicking the following links :

1. Who we are

2. Our Services

3. Financial and funding information

5. Complaints Procedure

6. Our policies and procedures

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

Cost of Information

For the most part, we will charge you only for hard copies or copying onto media (e.g. CD ROM). Some information is available free, but for others there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows:

	Via the Beacon Primary Care Web site Free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual You can get free internet access with assistance at any local library.
	Leaflets and brochures Free of charge for leaflets or booklets on, for example, services we offer to the public. A list is available here.

The charges will be reviewed regularly.

Useful Resources

Web sites:
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
This is the web site of the Information Commissioner
www.lcd.gov.uk
This is the web site of the Lord Chancellor's Department
www.foi.nhs.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

Statement of Fees and Allowances payable for General Medical Practitioners in England

Copyright

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 see www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm