Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 recognises that members of the public have the right to know how public services such as the NHS are organised and run, how much they cost and how to provide feedback about the publication scheme. You have the right to know which services are being provided, the targets that are set, the standards of services that are expected and the results achieved. Since 1st January 2005 the Trust has been obliged under this Act to respond to requests about information which is held and recorded in any form by the Trust.

The rights to request and access this information are subject to a number of exemptions set out by the Act which the Trust has to take into consideration before deciding what information may be disclosed.  For example, the Trust is not required to make information routinely available when:

• The Trust does not hold the information requested
• The information is exempt from disclosure under legislation (such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or Data Protection Legislation), e.g. personal data, confidential information or information that is commercially sensitive
• The Trust cannot easily access the information and it would take too much time to provide