Publication Scheme

Introduction

This example publication scheme has been created to outline the types of information that the Practice is expected to publish. The example is based upon the ICO model publication scheme and is broken down into the classes of information required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It is recommended that this is laid out in its own section of your Practice’s website, with the below headings listed.

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 Talybont Surgery Publication Scheme is designed to signpost individuals to information we proactively release as and when it becomes available. The aim of this is to explain what information the practice makes available to the public and where possible to provide an easy method of accessing it.

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 Talybont Surgery, 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 via the website ‘contact us’ link or write to:

Tal-y-bont Surgery
Station Road
Pontarddulais
SA4 8TJ

Who we are and what we do

Talybont Surgery has just under 10,000 patients in the Pontarddulais area. We are also a member of the Llwchwr Cluster which is made up of four separate Practices: Ty’r Felin, Princess Street, Estuary Group and Talybont. The practice has been operating for over thirty years. Practice details including who works with us, services we offer and our opening times are published on our website, this information be accessed via the website. Other information is available on the practice notice boards and display tables in the waiting areas.

What we spend and how we spend it

Talybont Surgery receives money from NHS Wales according to its contract for national General Medical Services in exchange for services provided for patients. We do not disclose our annual expenditures on our practice website, however a request may be put in writing as stated above. 

Throughout the year of 2023, our biggest spending was the development of our new website, Locum GP cover and the recruitment of additional Salaried GPs. 

What our priorities are and how we are doing

Currently our top priority is increasing patient access both digitally and telephony. We have phased out the use of AskmyGP and introduced our new website in 2023. We are also in the process of amending our telephone message to allow more straightforward access. Pre-bookable appointments were introduced and we plan to increase the number of these which are available over the course of the year. All updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

How we make decisions

The management team within the surgery is made up of four Partners, a Practice Manager and Assistant Practice Manager who meet every Tuesday for weekly catch ups. A more in depth partnership meeting occurs every six weeks.

The Practice Manager and Assistant Practice Manager also meet with the Head of Admin, IT and Services and the Head of Reception every Monday to discuss any plans and priorities throughout the week. 

Our Policies and Procedures

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

• Data Protection
• Prescribing
• Zero Tolerance

All policies and procedures are available for viewing, upon request in writing.

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. A copy of our practice complaints procedure is available online here. This will give you all the information and contact details needed to lodge a complaint.

Lists and Registers

General Practitioners – all GPs are registered on the General Medical Register which can be found on the General Medical Council website.

Nurses – All Nurses are registered with the Royal College of Nursing and Nursing and Midwifery Council website.

The Practice operates CCTV cameras covering the car park and entrance to the Practice.

The services we offer

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

• Contraceptive services 
• Minor surgery
• Cryotherapy
• Menopause services
• Warfarin clinics
• Child immunisations
• Maternity services
• Mental health consultations
• Chronic disease management

Charges for our private services (including medical reports and examinations) are published on our website.

Additional - Disclosure Log

We do not currently have any information to display here.

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

The practice will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained. 

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 as a result of viewing information, 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.