Data and information
We have a statutory under the Opticians Act 1989, to process personal information to enable us to fulfil our functions. This includes disclosing, sharing and publishing personal information when it is in the public interest to do so.
We do this with careful consideration of our information responsibilities, under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the Human Rights Act (HRA) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), to ensure that our use of personal data is lawful, properly controlled and that an individual's rights are respected. We collect and use information about the people we work with and we also acquire information about others in the course of our work. The people - known as 'data subjects' - include, but are not limited to, our employees, registrants, members of the public, stakeholders, contractors and suppliers.
Information governance policies
Our policies must be followed by all employees, members and those who work on behalf of the GOC, collectively referred to as GOC 'data processors'. These are set out in our Information Governance Handbook.
Publication scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) requires a public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme, the purpose of which is to:
- Specify the classes of information we have committed to publish
- Say how we will make that information available
- Say whether the information is available free of charge or on payment
Our publication scheme is available here.
Information on this website
Copyright
Where appropriate we have attempted to acknowledge the copyright of others. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, the reproduction and use of name and addresses on this website for commercial purposes is prohibited.
Accuracy
We have made every effort to ensure that the information provided on our website is accurate. It is not our intention to offend, mislead or misinform anyone.