Important notice:
From 15th May 2012, the team delivering the work of the NPC will form the NICE Medicines and Prescribing Centre and will sit alongside the Clinical Guidelines team within the Centre for Clinical Practice.
As part of NICE, all future Medicines and prescribing outputs will be published on the NICE website and signposted from the Medicines and prescribing home page.
Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000, which was passed on 30 November 2000, gives a general right of access to all types of
‘recorded’ information held by public authorities. It also sets out exemptions about the way in which they provide information.
In other words the Freedom of Information Act ensures the right of individuals to obtain access to official information to the greatest
extent possible, consistent with the public interest while protecting legitimate confidential information.
Publication Scheme
The Act stipulates that every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme. The aim of the Publication Scheme is to provide the public with a structured list of the types of information that a public authority makes available and should explain how they are accessible. The information included in the Publication Scheme should not only focus on the key areas of accountability of the organisation but also proactively include information that will be of particular interest to the public.
Model Publication Scheme
From 1 January 2009 the Information Commissioner introduced one approved model scheme which all authorities are to adopt. This model scheme commits an authority to make information available to the public proactively and routinely as part of its normal business activities.
The NPC will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained. Where it is within our capability information will be provided on our website. Where it is impracticable to make information available on the website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, we will indicate how the information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.
In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person, Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged with a reasonable timescale.
To view our Publication Scheme please click on NPC Publication Scheme.
Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme.
The purpose of this model scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the NPC for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.
Material which is published and accessed on our website will be provided free of charge
Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:
- Photocopying
- Postage and packaging
- The costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information
If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to the provision of the information.
Other formats
Please contact us to enquire about availability of the Publication Scheme in other formats.
Written requests
If you are not able to find the information you require from our Publication Scheme or wish to submit a written request for the information not readily available on our website please email jane.brown@nice.org.uk or by post to National Prescribing Centre, Ground floor, Building 2000, Vortex Court, Enterprise Way, Wavertree Technology Park, Liverpool, L13 1FB providing your contact details. Please explain as clearly and concisely as you can what information you require which will help us to locate the information as quickly as possible. Provision of the information will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Timescales
Information which is routinely available will be provided when requested. You will be directed to the website if it can be immediately accessed in this way or if it needs to be posted to you we will normally do so within 5 working days. If the information needs to be viewed personally we will normally contact you within 5 working days to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.
Formal Freedom of Information requests where the information is not routinely available will be responded to normally within 20 working days.
Feedback and complaints
Any questions, comments or complaints about this Publication Scheme should be sent in writing to Jane Brown, Associate Director NPC Policy & Implementation, National Prescribing Centre, Ground floor, Building 2000, Vortex Court, Enterprise Way, Wavertree Technology Park, Liverpool, L13 1FB. In line with Liverpool PCT complaints procedure, the National Prescribing Centre aims to deal with the investigation of complaints within 30 working days. After the investigation if you still remain dissatisfied then you may refer your complaint to the Information Commissioner.
Review and Maintenance of this Publication Scheme
NPC will formally review this Scheme on an annual basis but will endeavour to keep it as up to date as possible on an ongoing basis.
Copyright
Please see NPC Copyright policy
