Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI)

Introduction

The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities. Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme for the publication of Trust information.

This Publication Scheme is the Information Commissioner's Office approved model scheme and is a complete guide to the information routinely published by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It is a description of the information about the Trust that is made publicly available. The Trust reviews the Scheme at regular intervals and monitors how it is operating.

The Publication Scheme helps individuals to find information which the Trust publishes. The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, the Data Protection Act and at common law.

Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment by the Trust. To help with this, the Trust has appointed someone who is called a Caldicott Guardian, and who has responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with an individual's legal rights. In this Trust, the Caldicott Guardian is Emma McKay, Director of Nursing.

Freedom of Information general enquiries

To submit a Freedom of Information request use FOI request form, or write to FOI, Complaints and Legal Services Department, Level 4 West Out-patients, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY.

Freedom of Information media enquiries

All media enquiries under the Freedom of Information Act are handled by our Complaints and Legal Services Department. Email foi@nnuh.nhs.uk

The Trust's commitment to publish information excludes any information which can legitimately be withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or the Freedom of Information Act. Where individual classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to most classes within the Publication Scheme.

The information is grouped into broad categories as follows:

Where possible access will be via this website, however information may only be availabe as a hard copy or other media. The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each class with a £ sign. Where information is provided at a cost the charges will be calculated as set out in class 15. The full list of trust documentation available online can be found here.

Cost of information

For the most part, the Trust will charge only for hard copies or copying onto a different media. Information on the web site is available free, but for other information there may be a charge if more than 2.5 days are spent in supporting a request for information. Current photocopying costs are 25p per copy and postage at cost.

Website

Information from the Trust’s website is free, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs will have to be met by the individual. For those without Internet access, a printout from the website can be available by post, by personal application to the Freedom of Information Officer at the Trust.

However, requests for multiple printouts, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer accessible or available on the web, will attract a charge for, photocopy and postage.The Trust will advise on cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance. The Trust does not provide printouts of other organisation’s websites.

Leaflets and brochures

These are free of charge for the services which the Trust offers to the public.

Certain bound or other paper documents

There may be a charge as per the publication lists available from the Freedom of Information Officer.

E-mail

This is free of charge unless it says otherwise.

Archive Deposit

Information about the Trust’s Archive Deposit is available direct from the Public Records Office, Norfolk County Archives, County Hall, Norwich. Access and charges for these documents are in accordance with Council policy

Information Management

Information falling into the Classes will be retained in line with the Trust's retention and disposal schedules, which comply with circular HSC1999/53 and Public Record Office Guidance.

Information not required for the business purposes of the Trust is stored at the Trust and the Public Records Office at County Hall, Norwich.

Feedback

Any questions, comments or complaints about this Scheme should be sent in writing to:

Chief Executive
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Colney Lane
Norwich
NR4 7UY

Alternatively you can request further information online by clicking on the following link FOI request form.

If you remain dissatisfied about the operation of the Publication Scheme, please write to:

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Rights of Access to Information

In addition to accessing the information identified in this Publication Scheme, an individual is entitled to request information provided by the Trust under the NHS Code of Practice on Openness - 1995. Hard copies of the code are available free of charge from the Trust.
Sometimes, some or all of the information cannot be provided and the Trust will explain the reasons when this happens.
The Freedom of Information Act 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 make complaints. 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.
From January 1st 2005 the Act obliges the Trust to respond to requests about the information which it holds and recorded in any form, and it will create a right of access to that information. The rights to request and access this information are subject to some exemptions which the Trust has to take into consideration before deciding what information can be released.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records by applying to the Health Records Manager. Patients wishing to make an application should telephone Sara Bull, Patient Access Co-ordinator, on 01603 288729 or write to her at the Francis Centre, Francis Way, Bowthorpe Industrial Estate, Norwich, NR4 9JA to request an application form or to obtain more information.