The new model publication scheme -
what you need to do -

Information for health practitioners

Your obligation

Under the Freedom of Information Act it is the duty of every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. Publication schemes provide for the proactive release of information and play a crucial role in supporting and providing greater openness and transparency across the public sector.

A publication scheme sets out the kinds of information that a public authority will make routinely available. The information should be easy for the authority and any individual to find and use.

The new model scheme

The model scheme classifies information at a high level and broadly states the way authorities can provide information and what they can charge for. The model makes it clear that the publication scheme relates only to information about those functions for which a body or person is a public authority.

Adopting the scheme

Authorities need to adopt the model scheme in its entirety. You are not required to inform the Information Commissioner you have adopted the scheme. Once you have adopted the model publication scheme you need to make information available to the public in accordance with its requirements. To assist with this we have produced general guidance on how to operate the scheme. You also need to work out what information you have that falls within the scheme and to produce this in the form of a guide. This is so your staff and the public know what information will be made available, how it will be available and whether there is any cost involved.

Completing a guide to information

We have produced templates for guides to information, which are available on our website. These will assist in identifying the information we think that doctors, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists should be providing under the publication scheme.

What if we do not hold the information listed?

You should keep a record of this and remove it (or cross it out) from the guide to information.

What if we hold information not listed?

Additional information should be listed in the guide if it is held and can be routinely released.

How should I make information available?

The manner you use to make the information available will depend on the facilities at your disposal. A growing number of practices and firms are maintaining websites. Where this is the case this should be seen as the main method of publication. You should in all circumstances be ready to provide it in paper form on request.

How much can I charge?

As the intention is to make information readily available to any member of the public, charges should be required only where this is necessary. You need to indicate in your guide where charges will be made.

Further information

Copies of the template guides to information, the guidance and further information on how to operate the new model scheme can be found on our website (http://www.ico.gov.uk) and can also be obtained by contacting the office on 08456 306060

Not adopting a scheme or not publishing in accordance with it

A public authority will be in breach of the Act if it does not adopt an approved publication scheme and publish in accordance with it. We will consider taking steps if we are made aware that any public authority is not complying with these obligations.

We will always try to resolve the matter informally. However, we will take more formal steps where this proves unsuccessful.

 

Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF