FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
YOUR RIGHT TO ACCESS TRUST INFORMATION
The Freedom of Information Act gives the right to all individuals to request access to information held by the Trust. The aim of the Act is to create a climate of openness in the public services and amongst other things to inform people how public authorities make their operational decisions and how public money is used.
PUBLICATION SCHEME
In order to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 public sector organisations such as ours have to routinely publish information whenever possible.
The Information Commissioner, who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, has drawn up what is called a Model Publication Scheme for all public sector organisations: http://www.ico.gov.uk/Home/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information/publication_schemes/
publication_schemes_eng.aspx which we have decided to adopt and formally commit to.
The Commissioner has also published a ‘Definition Document for NHS Organisations: http://www.ico.gov.uk/Home/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information/publication_schemes/
definition_document_health_bodies_england.aspx which sets out in some detail what his minimum expectations are as far as we are concerned.
We have reviewed the information we routinely put into the public domain to ensure we are compliant with the Definition document. You will be able to see where we don’t hold relevant information or where for some reason we have decided not to routinely disclose information identified in the Definition document by referring to our Publication Scheme Guidance to Information Document below.
Most of the information we make routinely available can be accessed through our website by using the search facility. Such information is continually updated. If you cannot find information through the search engine and we have indicated in the definition document that the information is routinely available this may be because the information cannot be loaded onto our website. In such circumstances please contact the Freedom of Information Administrator at the address above.
Accessing information which is not included in the Publication Scheme.
As an open and transparent organisation we are committed to routinely publishing as much information as possible; however if you want information which is not on our website or otherwise available through our guide to information you may ask us for it in accordance with further provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and of the Environmental Information Regulations 2005.
Fees and Charges.
The Freedom of Information Act and the associated Fees Regulations stipulate that we cannot levy a fee for information unless there is a statutory basis for doing so or the amount of time taken to locate the information exceeds 18 hours.
However we are allowed to charge for disbursements related to the provision of information and any reformatting requested by the applicant provided we ensure that applicants are aware of any charges which may be made. Please see our Freedom of Information 2000 - Corporate Policy Below for details on fees.
MAKING A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
If you wish to make a request for information it should be in writing (or e-mail) stating the information that is required, your name plus organisation name if appropriate, and a contact address for correspondence. Requests should be sent to the Freedom of Information Administrator (contact details below). Alternatively you can print off and fill out an application form (see downloadable documents further down the page).
In some cases, however, information may not be provided, this is where an exemption applies. An example of this is where the required information contains personal information (this will continue to be covered by the conditions of the Data Protection Act 1998). Another is where the requested information is available by other means for example - if it is on our website or Publication Scheme, so you may need to check there first before putting in a request for information.
Your first point of contact for freedom of information matters at the Trust is:
The Freedom of Information Administrator
NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus
Guide Business Centre
School Lane
Blackburn
BB1 2QH
Tel: 01254 282202
E-mail: foi@bwd.nhs.uk
DOCUMENTS
You can download all documents relating to Freedom Of Information below. A PDF Reader is required. If you do not have one please click on the Adobe Reader icon under the left hand navigation to download a free copy.
