Guide to Information
1. Introduction
Eastfield Medical Practice has adopted the Model Publication Scheme produced by the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Eastfield Medical Practice is subject to freedom of information requirements in respect of information relating to the provision of its NHS primary medical services. This Guide to Information explains the information we publish, where you can find it, how you can access it, and whether any charge applies.
This Guide is intended to help members of the public access information without having to make a formal request.
2. Availability and formats
Whenever possible, information covered by this Guide is available on our website:
Website: www.eastfieldmedicalpractice.co.uk
If you cannot access information online, you can ask for it in another format. Where possible, we will provide information by:
- email
- paper copy
- inspection at the practice by arrangement
We will provide reasonable advice and assistance to help you identify and access the information you want. The Model Publication Scheme requires published information to be accessible online where possible, with alternative arrangements for people who cannot or do not wish to use the website.
3. Exempt information
We will publish information we hold that falls within the classes below unless the information is exempt from disclosure under freedom of information law or another legal restriction applies.
Where a document contains exempt information, we may publish a redacted version with the exempt material removed.
Examples of information that may be withheld include:
- personal data
- confidential patient information
- information provided in confidence
- commercially sensitive information where a relevant exemption applies
- security-sensitive information
The Model Publication Scheme does not require exempt information to be published.
4. Copyright and re-use
Where Eastfield Medical Practice owns copyright in information published through this scheme, the information may be copied or reproduced free of charge provided that:
- it is copied accurately
- it is not used in a misleading context
- the source is acknowledged
If copyright in any published information is owned by another person or organisation, we will make that clear where possible. You may need to obtain permission from the copyright owner before re-using that material.
This reflects the Model Publication Scheme principle on copyright and re-use.
5. Charges
There is no charge to:
- view information on our website
- inspect information at the practice by prior arrangement
- receive information by email where this is reasonably practicable
If you ask for paper copies, we may charge no more than the actual cost of copying, printing, and postage. Any charge will be confirmed to you in advance.
Our standard charges are:
- Black and white A4 photocopying: 10p per page
- Colour A4 photocopying: 20p per page
- Postage: actual cost charged to the practice
We do not charge for staff time spent locating published information.
Under the Model Publication Scheme, any charge for providing copies of published information must be published and must not exceed the actual cost of provision.
6. Contact details and help with access
If you need help locating information, want information in another format, or wish to ask for information not already published, please contact:
Practice Manager
Eastfield Medical Practice
Eastfield Farm Road
Penicuik
EH26 8EZ
Telephone: 01968 675576
Website: www.eastfieldmedicalpractice.co.uk
If the information you want is not already published through this Guide, you may ask for it in writing.
If your request is for your own personal data, including your medical records, this is not a freedom of information request and will be handled as a Subject Access Request under data protection law.
If your request is for information held by NHS Lothian, you should contact NHS Lothian directly via loth.freedomofinformation@nhs.scot.
The Model Publication Scheme requires authorities to provide contact details and assistance with accessing information.
7. Duration of published information
Where information is published under this scheme, we will generally make current information available together with information from the current and previous two financial years, where relevant and appropriate.
Where a document has been updated or superseded, we will usually publish the current version only. Older versions may still be requested where held.
This reflects the Model Publication Scheme principle on duration.
8. The classes of information we publish
Class 1: About Eastfield Medical Practice
Information about who we are, where we are, how to contact us, how we are organised, and our relationship with other bodies.
Information we publish
- Practice name, address, telephone number and email address
- Opening hours and contact details
- Details of GP Partners and key senior roles
- Basic information about the practice as an NHS general medical services provider
- Information about accessibility, interpretation support and how to contact us
- Practice website and social media details, where applicable
How to access it
- Practice website
- Reception
- By contacting the practice
Format
- Web page
- Paper copy on request
- Email copy where appropriate
Charge
- Free online
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 2: How we deliver our functions and services
Information about the services we provide, how to use them, and what standards or rights apply.
Information we publish
- Information about NHS services provided by the practice
- Information about clinics and appointments
- Information about repeat prescriptions
- Information about home visits
- Information about registration with the practice
- Information for disabled patients and interpreting/translation support
- Information on patient rights and responsibilities
- Information on complaints and feedback
- Information about private/non-NHS services where applicable
How to access it
- Practice website
- Reception
- Patient leaflets or notices
- By contacting the practice
Format
- Web page
- Leaflet or notice
- Paper copy on request
Charge
- Free online
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 3: How we take decisions and what we have decided
Information about governance, management and decision-making relating to the running of the practice.
Information we publish
- General information about how the practice is managed
- Information about the role of the GP Partners in strategic oversight
- Information about significant operational changes that affect patients, where published
- Information about our participation in local cluster working where publicly available
Information not routinely published
Eastfield Medical Practice is a GP partnership rather than a board or committee-based public body. We do not routinely publish internal management meeting papers or detailed internal decision logs.
Where held, information may still be considered for disclosure on request, subject to any applicable exemption.
How to access it
- Practice website where published
- By written request to the Practice Manager
Format
- Web page
- Email or paper copy where available
Charge
- Free online
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 4: What we spend and how we spend it
Information about funding received and high-level financial information relating to the services we provide.
Information we publish
- General information about the practice’s NHS funding basis, including that it provides services under NHS primary medical services arrangements
- Publicly available information about the standard GMS contractual framework
- Any financial information we are required to publish by law
Information not routinely published
We do not routinely publish detailed internal accounts, partners’ drawings, detailed payroll information, bank details, or other confidential financial records.
Where information is commercially sensitive, confidential, or otherwise exempt, it will not be published.
How to access it
- Publicly available sources where applicable
- By written request to the Practice Manager where appropriate
Format
- Web link
- Email or paper copy where available
Charge
- Free online
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 5: How we manage our human, physical and information resources
Information about staffing structures, premises, equipment, policies and the way we manage information.
Information we publish
- Practice premises details
- Information about key roles and staffing structure at a senior level
- Practice policies and procedures that are publicly available
- Information governance, confidentiality and privacy information
- Data protection notices
- Health and safety information published for patients or visitors where relevant
- Information about accessibility and facilities
Information not routinely published
We do not routinely publish individual staff personnel files, internal HR records, rotas, security-sensitive information, or internal-only operational procedures unless there is a specific reason to do so.
How to access it
- Practice website
- Reception
- By contacting the practice
Format
- Web page
- PDF or paper copy where available
Charge
- Free online
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 6: How we procure goods and services from external providers
Information about how we obtain goods and services from third parties.
Information we publish
- General information about procurement and contract management where published
- Information about significant contracts where disclosure is appropriate
Information not routinely published
We do not routinely publish all supplier contracts, quotes, or commercially sensitive procurement records.
Where held, contract information may be considered for disclosure on request, subject to confidentiality, commercial sensitivity and any other applicable exemption.
How to access it
Format
Charge
- Usually free by email
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 7: How we are performing
Information about quality, standards, complaints, inspections and service improvement.
Information we publish
- Information about complaints procedures
- General information about service improvements and quality improvement activity where published
- Information about inspections or external reviews where publicly available
- Information about relevant reports or performance information where publication is appropriate
Information not routinely published
We do not publish identifiable complaint records, confidential incident records, or any information containing personal data.
Anonymised summary information may be considered for disclosure where appropriate and lawful.
How to access it
- Practice website where published
- Publicly available inspection sources where applicable
- By contacting the practice
Format
- Web page
- Email or paper copy where available
Charge
- Free online
- Copying/postage charges may apply for paper copies
Class 8: Our commercial publications
Information produced for sale.
Information we publish
Eastfield Medical Practice does not currently produce publications for sale.
How to access it
Not applicable.
Format
Not applicable.
Charge
Not applicable.
Class 9: Our open data
Open data made available for re-use in machine-readable form.
Information we publish
Eastfield Medical Practice does not currently publish any open datasets in reusable machine-readable format.
If this changes, this section will be updated.
How to access it
Not currently applicable.
Format
Not currently applicable.
Charge
Not applicable.
9. Information not available through this Guide
If the information you want is not listed here, you may still ask us whether we hold it.
Requests should be made in writing to the Practice Manager using the contact details above.
Please describe the information you want as clearly as possible.
10. Review
This Guide will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to ensure it remains accurate and reflects the information we publish.
Date last reviewed: 14 March 2026
