NHSP Publication Scheme - FOI Requests
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities and places obligations on public authorities to disclose information, subject to a range of exemptions.
In common with other public bodies, NHS Professionals (NHSP) is required to implement the Act fully from January 2005.
Freedom of Information
Access rights came into force on 1 January 2005, enabling anyone to make a request for information, although the request must be in writing (letter, fax or email).
The Act gives applicants two related rights:
- The right to be told whether the information exists
- The right to receive the information within 20 working days
Part One: The NHS Professionals publication scheme
What is the NHSP Publication Scheme?
This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely published by NHS Professionals. The Scheme is a description of the information about our organisation which we make publicly available. We shall review the Scheme at regular intervals and monitor how it is operating.
It is important to us that this Scheme meets your needs and we have designed it to be a route map so that you can find information about NHS Professionals easily.
Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, NHSP has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness and transparency by public authorities of which NHS Professionals is one.
The Publication Scheme will help you to find all the information which NHS Professionals publishes.
Information Management
We are developing document management policies and procedures to ensure we maintain our records in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Practice on Records Management issued by the Lord Chancellor under section 46 of the Act.
Requesting Information from NHSP
There are a number of ways to request information from us:
- online feedback form
- Email: FOI@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk
- Write to the Information Governance Officer at:
Information Governance Department
NHS Professionals
Suites 1a &1b
Breakspear Park
Breakspear Way
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 4TZ
If you have any questions or comments or want to make a formal complaint about the operation of the Publication Scheme, or how NHS Professionals has dealt with your request for information from the Scheme, please write to:
Data Protection Officer
NHS Professionals
Suites 1a &1b
Breakspear Park
Breakspear Way
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 4TZ
Rights of Access to Information
At the present time, in addition to accessing the information identified in this Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about NHS Professionals under the NHS Openness Code 1995. Sometimes, some or all of the information cannot be provided and we will explain the reasons why not when this happens.
The Freedom of Information Act recognises that as a member of the public, you have the right to know how public services, such as the NHS are organised and run, how much they cost and how you can make complaints if you need to. You have the right to know which services are being provided, the targets that are being set, the standards of services that are expected and the results achieved.
NHS Professionals respond to requests about the information which it holds 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 NHS Professionals has to take into consideration before deciding what information can be released.
Information will be provided in the language it was originally produced in.
Availability of Information
Available documents can be found in electronic format in e-library section of this website. To request hard copies please email: FOI@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk
Information that NHS Professionals will not publish
NHS Professionals is committed to the principles of freedom of information. However, guided by the exemptions listed in Part II of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, we have identified certain types of information that we will not normally make publicly available, either as part of our Publication Scheme or in response to a specific request:
- personal information about individuals (e.g. patients, staff members)
- information which would endanger the health and safety or security of individuals
- information that we are prohibited from publishing by any law or court order, or which would constitute a contempt of court if made public
- information which has been provided to us in confidence, and is of a genuinely confidential nature
- information which is covered by a claim to legal professional privilege
- information which would prejudice the commercial interests of NHS Professionals
- information which would adversely affect the effective running of the NHS Professionals. This will include, for instance, confidential briefings to directors and senior staff; details of ongoing negotiations and draft plans, policies and reports unless they are intended to be subject to public consultation before being finalised
- information about investigations being carried out which may lead to criminal or civil proceedings.
Part Two: The Classes of Information that we hold
The information is grouped into broad categories as follows
- Who we are
Details of the NHS Professionals organisational structures and key personnel.
- Financial and Funding Information
Information on finance and funding.
- Corporate Information
Reports, policies and business plans.
- Our Services
The types of services that we provide for the NHS and how we deliver these.
- Reports and Independent Enquiries
General policies and procedures in use within NHS Professionals.
- Policies and Procedures
Details of consultation procedures, decision- making processes, timescales and responses. Consultations in progress and how you can become involved.
- Regular publications and information for the public
Guidance and information leaflets
- Complaints
Policies, procedures and contacts for complaints
- Human Resources
Employment Policies and Procedures
- Communications with the Press and Media Releases
Our releases to the press and the media
- The Publication Scheme
We will publish any changes we make to this Publication Scheme, the criteria on which our information management policies are made and a referral point for all enquiries regarding information management. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.
Cost of Information
For the most part, we will charge you only for hard copies or copying onto media (e.g. CD ROM). Some information is available free, but for others there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows:
Via the NHS Professionals website – Free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual.
For those without Internet access, a single print-out as on the website would be available upon written request to the Information Governance Department at the above address.
However, requests for multiple printouts, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer accessible or available on the web, may attract a charge for retrieval, photocopy, postage etc. We will let you know the cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance. We will not provide printouts of other organisation’s websites.
The charges will be reviewed regularly.
Copyright
The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to NHS Professionals copyright unless otherwise indicated.
Unless expressly indicated on the material to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner.
Where any of the copyright items in this Scheme are being re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status. Permission to reproduce material does not extend to any material accessed through the Publication Scheme that is the copyright of third parties. You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned.
For HMSO Guidance Notes on a range of copyright issues, see the HMSO website or contact them on 01603 621 000.
Part Three: Useful Resources
The bodies involved in the monitoring and/or inspection of our services: