- Background
- Routinely Published Information
- Access to Other CCGs Information
- Contact Details
- What Happens When I Make a Request?
- Do I Have to Pay for Information?
- What Happens if I Have a Query About the Information I Receive?
- Is There Any Information that the CCGs Will Not Give me?
- How Do I Make a Complaint About the Way My Request Has Been Handled?
Background
The Freedom of Information Act 2000, provides a general right of access to information held by public authorities, including the NHS. Anyone can request information and has the right to be told:
- Whether the public authority holds the information, and
- If it does, to be provided with the information
Information includes anything held in a recorded form, such as paper files, loose papers, e-mails, electronic documents, photos, plans, maps, CCTV, videotapes, audiotapes, voice mails. Requests must be dealt with promptly and there is a requirement to provide the information within 20 working days unless there is good reason why this cannot be achieved.
There are exemptions to the provision of information covered by the Data Protection Act, including, for example, personal data. In some cases, also a decision has to be made if it is in the public interest to disclose information and if it is not, various exemptions applicable under the Freedom of Information Act can be applied.
Routinely published information
In compliance with the Act, the WSCCG has developed a Publication Scheme, which details all of the information that the WSCCG routinely publishes. If you would like a copy of the Scheme please contact 01473 770013.
Access to other CCGs information
There may be other information which is not listed in the Publication Scheme that you would like to read. If so, members of the public can make a request for any information held by the CCGs which is not already included in the Publication Scheme. If you would like to make a request, it must be made in writing to the CCGs either by letter or e-mail.
Contact details
Please send requests by letter to:
Information Governance and Risk Manager,
NHS WSCCG & IESCCG,
Please send requests by email to: foi@suffolk.nhs.uk
What happens when I make a request?
The CCGs have 20 working days to comply with your request. If the CCGs do not have the information, we will let you know within 20 working days of receiving your request. If the CCG does have the information it is available free of charge and it will be provided to you within 20 working days. (Please see ‘Do I have to pay for information?’ section below).
The CCG will try its best to provide you with the information you have requested in the format you require, for example: paper, electronic, CD-ROM (please note there may be a charge for some formats).
Do I have to pay for information?
As a general rule:
- Anything listed in the Publication Scheme is available free of charge if providing one copy in paper-format or if it is downloaded from our website or sent electronically.
- If you require information that comes under the Data Protection Act (such as medical records) there will be a small charge.
What happens if I have a query about the information I receive?
If you have a query about the content of the CCG information you receive then please contact the Governance Advisor (see contact details above).
Is there any information that the CCGs will not give me?
The CCGs will make every effort to provide you with a copy of the information requested and may have to ask you a few questions to make sure that we provide you with what you want. There may be some documentation or certain parts of that documentation which we are not allowed to release. Some examples of information we would not be allowed to release under this Act are:
- Someone else’s medical records.
- Matters of commercial confidence
- Information the CCG has received in confidence.
- Any information that is the subject of litigation
- Information intended for future publication
This list is not exhaustive and further details are available from the Information Commissioners web site at: www.ico.org.uk
How do I make a complaint about the way my request has been handled?
If you are unhappy with the way the CCG has handled your request for information, please contact either the Complaints Manager or Chief Executive, at:
NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group,
West Suffolk House,
Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk,
IP33 3YU
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