This document complies with the requirements of the Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme for Linklater Warren Limited in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and fulfils the obligations on opticians’ practices under the Act.
Introduction
This is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Linklater Warren Limited. It is a description of the information about our NHS services that we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals. We will publish any changes we make to this guide or relevant information.
How is the information made available?
The information within each Class is available in hard copy from any of the practices listed below:
- Leslie Warren Opticians
- Linklaters Optometrists
- Linklater & Warren Opticians
Cost of Information
The information is provided free of charge.
Your Rights to Information
- The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is designed to promote openness and accountability amongst all organisations that receive public money.
- Like all NHS contractors, since 1 January 2005 there has been a FOI obligation on optical practices to respond to requests about the NHS related information that they hold, and a right of access to that information has been established in law.
- These rights are subject to exemptions (see below) that have to be taken into consideration before releasing information.
- In addition to accessing the information identified in this guide, you are entitled to request information about our NHS services under the NHS Openness Code 1995.
- Under the Data Protection Act (1998, 2018) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR 2018), you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact any practice where your records are held 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 from the scheme, please write to:
Jigna Teli,
j.teli@linklaterwarren.co.uk
Linklaters Optometrists
120 Broadway
Bexleyheath
DA6 7DQ
Classes of Information
All NHS information at Linklater Warren Limited is held, retained and destroyed within NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information that can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information Act 2000, the main reasons being the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This scheme has been written in accordance with those exemptions.
Who we are:
Linklater Warren Limited is a company registered in England.
Company Registration number: 08567462.
Company Directors:
Jigna Teli BSc (Hons) MC Optom
Jasmine Griffin BSc (Hons) MC Optom
Matthew Carter BSc (Hons) MC Optom DipTP (IP)
The practice managers and practice addresses and contact details of our practices are:
Jodie Sunderland FBDO (Practice Manager)
Leslie Warren Opticians
82 High Street
Sevenoaks
TN13 1LP
sevenoaks@linklaterwarren.co.uk
Rani Thumber FBDO (Practice Manager)
Linklaters Optometrists
120 Broadway
Bexleyheath
DA67DQ
bexleyheath@linklaterwarren.co.uk
Hazel Willby FBDO (Practice Manager)
Linklater & Warren Opticians
30a High Street
Chislehurst
Kent
BR7 5AN
chislehurst@linklaterwarren.co.uk
Details of the opticians and optometrists employed in our practices can be obtained by contacting that practice directly. Alternatively, details of all opticians and optometrists registered in the UK are available from the General Optical Council (www.optical.org, 0207 580 3898).
For every sight test performed on behalf of the NHS the practice receives a set fee, which is fixed nationally. The company also carries out the following NHS enhanced services:
- MECS
- Community Ophthalmology Team (COT)
The fees paid by the NHS for each service are available from the practice on request. They include a contribution towards optometrists’ and staff salaries, equipment costs and other practice overheads.
Our Services
All of our practices provide free NHS eye examinations for those who are eligible. You may also be entitled to vouchers to be used against the purchase of glasses or contact lenses if you require them. To find out if you are eligible for assistance please ask at any practice. If you are not eligible for an NHS eye examination please contact us for details of our current private charges.
Appointments for sight tests can be booked over the phone, online or by emailing or dropping into the practice. Opening times are on our website
Our policies and procedures
The company implements policies, protocols and procedures including:
- Data Handling Policy (including Customer Data Management Leaflet, Privacy Notice and Data Subject Access Request Policy)
- Complaints policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Fire Policy
- Chaperone Policy
- Business Continuity Plan
- Safeguarding Protocol
- Staff Confidentiality Code of Conduct
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Infection Control Policy
Policies are available by request from by contacting the practice manager using the details above.
Complaints
We endeavour to deal with complaints as swiftly as possible and we will acknowledge the receipt of a written complaint within three working days. If you have a cause for complaint please bring it to the attention of any member of staff verbally and they will do their best to resolve the complaint of if they are unable to do this they will bring it to the attention of the Practice Manager or a Director.
If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, please discuss any problems with the Practice Manager at the practice concerned in the first instance.
If the matter cannot be resolved in this way or you are unsatisfied with the response you receive please contact a Director at the above addresses. A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request.
Regular publications and information for the public
Information about optical and ocular conditions, sight tests, spectacles, and contact lenses, can be found on our website (www.linklaterwarren.co.uk) and the website of the College of Optometrists (www.college-optometrists.org).
Some of this information is also available in patient leaflets. These are freely available from all of our practices. To request a set of leaflets by post, please contact the appropriate practice manager.
Useful Resources
Information Commissioner ico.org.uk
Ministry of Justice www.justice.gov.uk/whatwedo/freedomofinformation.htm
NHS Openness Code www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/codemain.htm
Freedom of Information Act 2000 www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm
Updated April 2023