Everyone has the right to access information held by public authorities, including NHS trusts, subject to certain exemptions and conditions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which came into force on 1 January 2005.
Access to environmental information is covered by the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, which have slightly different provisions.
How to make a request
For your request to be dealt with according to the Freedom of Information Act you must make the request in writing (for example in a letter or an email), give your real name and give an address (postal or email) to which we can reply.
Your request should set out clearly the information you want and you should state how you would prefer to receive the information (for example electronically or as a hard copy). We will respond to your request within 20 working days.
However before making a request please read our publication scheme as this may contain the information that you require.
Requests for environmental information may be made verbally, but are best made in writing to avoid potential disputes over what was actually requested.
You can make a request by contacting the Freedom of Information Team, NHS Tower Hamlets, Aneurin Bevan House, Second Floor, 81-91 Commercial Road, London E1 1RD. Email: foi@thpct.nhs.uk.
Publication scheme
Under the Freedom of Information Act, NHS Tower Hamlets has produced a publication scheme which is a guide to information routinely published by us.
This contains the following classes of information:
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who we are and what we do,
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what we spend and how we spend it,
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what are priorities are and how we are doing,
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how we make decisions,
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our policies and procedures,
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lists and registers, and
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the services we offer.
Charges
The Freedom of Information Act allows us to charge for the cost of supplying the information (for example photocopying, postage and packaging).
If the cost to us of answering a request is over a specified limit (currently £450) we may refuse to answer. In that case, we would write to you suggesting how your request could be amended so as not to go over the charging limit. We are allowed to charge for environmental information, and there is no specified limit for this.
If your request is refused
If you are dissatisfied with the way your request has been handled, you can complain in writing to: The Associate Director of Quality and Governance, NHS Tower Hamlets, Aneurin Bevan House, Second Floor, 81-91 Commercial Road, London E1 1RD Email: foi@thpct.nhs.uk.
If, after we have addressed your complaint, you remain dissatisfied with how we have responded, you are entitled to appeal to the Information Commissioner. Details are shown at http://www.ico.gov.uk/
Access to health records
Health records are confidential personal data, which is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act.
Except under special circumstances, everyone has a right to view their own medical records under the Data Protection Act. To access your own medical records you should contact your GP or the service that holds your records.
Information provided under the Freedom of Information Act is subject to the Trust’s 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 copyright items 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 that is the copyright of third parties. You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned.
For HMSO guidance on a range of copyright issues, see the Office of Public Sector Information web site: www.opsi.gov.uk/index.htm.
