FOI – Publication Scheme

Introduction

This publication scheme has been created to outline the types of information that the Practice is expected to publish. Based upon the ICO model publication scheme it is broken down into the classes of information required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. You can find this information on our website for both practices.

Your Rights to Information

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000 provides members of the public with the right access information held by public authorities. 

Public authorities are required to routinely publish certain information to the public as part of its normal business activities. This is known as a publication scheme.

The Risca Surgery and North Celynen Practice Publication Scheme is designed to signpost individuals to information we proactively release as and when it becomes available.

The Publication Scheme contains seven classes of information, as follows, and information falling into each of these classes is published on our practice website:

·         Who we are and what we do

·         What we spend and how we spend it

·         What are our priorities and how we are doing

·         How we make decisions

·         Our policies and procedures

·         Register of members’ interests

·         Services we offer

All the information we proactively release is available free of charge on our website. Our publication scheme is a useful place to start if you’re looking for information about Risca Surgery and North Celynen Practice before making a Freedom of Information request.

Information that is not published under the FOI Publication Scheme can be requested in writing and the release of such information will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the FOI Act 2000.

To make a Freedom of Information request, please email contact the practice or write to:

Risca Surgery                                                                                          North Celynen Practice

Church House Field                                                                             Crown Street

St Mary Street                                                                                      Crumlin

Risca                                                                                                       NP11 4PQ

NP11 6YS

Email: Enquiries.W93064@wales.nhs.uk                                       Email: Enquiries.W93067@wales.nhs.uk

Who we are and what we do:

Risca Surgery has 12900 patients and has the main site located in Risca and the Branch Practice located in Cwmfelinfach.

North Celynen Practice has 9500 and has a main site in Crumlin and a Branch Practice located in Newbridge.

We are also a member of the Caerphilly East Neighbourhood Network which is made up of 7 separate Practices.

Practice details and our opening times are published on our website, this information be accessed via the www.riscasurgery.co.uk or www.northcelynenpractice.co.uk web page

What we spend and how we spend it

Risca Surgery and North Celynen Practice receives money from NHS Wales according to its contract for national General Medical Services in exchange for services provided for patients.

There may be circumstances where material cannot be released because it is confidential or commercial information or the appropriate officer designated for these purposes, under the Act, has taken the view that it may be prejudicial to the conduct of the Practice’s affairs.

If this is the case, we will respond to your FOI request with a formal letter acknowledging the reasons why we are unable to give you this information.

What our priorities are and how we are doing

We are currently working closely with our colleagues in the Caerphilly East NCN to develop and improve services for patients in the local area.

How we make decisions

Risca Surgery and North Celynen Practice has a Partnership who work alongside senior managers who meet every month.

Our Policies and Procedures

General policies and procedures in use within the practice include, but are not limited to:

  • Data Protection
  • Prescribing
  • Zero Tolerance 

If you have a complaint or concerns about the service you have received from the doctors or any of the staff working in this practice, please let us know. We operate a complaints procedure as part of the NHS system. Our complaints system meets national criteria.

CCTV

Details of the locations of any overt CCTV cameras should also be included.

The Practices operates several CCTV cameras covering the car park and entrance to the Practice, as well as inside the Practice. They cover the areas of Reception, waiting rooms and corridors.

The services we offer:

We offer the following services:

In addition to routine and emergency services, we offer the following range of services under contract to the NHS:

  • Contraceptive Services
  • Minor Surgery
  • Annual health check ups for patients with Learning Disabilities
  • Joint Injections

Charges for our private services (including medical reports and travel vaccinations) are published on our website, this information be accessed via the www.riscasurgery.co.uk or www.northcelynenpractice.co.uk web page

The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available.

Where it is within the capability of the practice; information will be provided on the website. Where it is impracticable to make information available on a website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, the practice will assist to provide the information in the format it has been requested or offer an alternative method for it to be obtained.

Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme.

The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the practice for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum. Material which is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge.

Generally, only the following charges can be made:

  • the costs directly incurred because of photocopying, postage, and packaging.
  • fees permitted by other legislation; and
  • for information produced commercially, for example, a book, map, or similar publication that you intend to sell and would not otherwise have produced.