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| A Guide to Freedom of Information |
IN THIS SECTION
Overview
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act gives everyone the right to get information from public authorities, including hospitals, health centres, health boards and health agencies. FOI came into effect on 1 January 2005. As a public organisation The Belfast City Hospital comes under this Act which means that you will be able to get information to better understand how The City Hospital works, how we spend public money, and how and why we make our decisions.
What kind of Information can I ask for?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) enables you to access any recorded information that we hold. However, there will be times when we will not be able to answer fully all requests as not all information can be given to the public. Typically, we would withhold information if, for example, the health, safety and security of our patients, staff and property were deemed to be at risk. Our patient information also remains confidential. Information about national security, law enforcement or personal information about others would not be available. Under FOI this information is regarded as ‘exempt’. For a full list of exemptions see, www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk
We will always try and assist your request. If we are unable to provide the information you require, we will write to you and explain why and, where we can, we will suggest who to contact if the information is available elsewhere.
The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA)
This Act gives everyone access to their own personal files and covers businesses as well as public authorities. You can only seek information on yourself and not about other people through the Data Protection Act, and there is usually an administration charge levied.
How do I get information about the City Hospital?
You can get information on our website by visiting different pages. You can also access information through our Publication Scheme. Check if what you want is there. You can print out a lot of information free of charge, but if what you want isn’t there or if it can’t be printed, please write to the address below.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) stipulates that all requests for information must be in writing. In order to help us answer your request, you need to specify what you want as clearly as you can. You should also include a postal address and a contact telephone number. Please write to:
FOI Liaison Officer
Belfast City Hospital Trust
Lisburn Road
BELFAST
BT9 7AB
Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs)
These regulations allow you access to information with regards to how our actions, as a public body, impact on the environment. These requests can be verbal and do not need to be written. An example of an EIR request might be: ‘What pollutants do ambulances emit when driving to the scene of an accident?’
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get information?
Once a written request for information is received, we have twenty working days to respond – although that time can be extended. We will contact you and explain why we might need to extend the time limit. It is easier for us to help you access your information request if you are as clear as possible in your letter about what you want. Make sure you give your name and address and a contact telephone number.
What happens if the information I want is not available?
The FOI Act does not require us to gather information that is not already there. But we are required to assist you with your request. We will contact you and tell you what information we do hold that might help you answer your query, or we will suggest who you might contact for further help.
What if I am refused information?
We will tell you if information is being withheld and why. We will also tell you who to contact if you are not happy. You can contact the Northern Ireland Information Commissioner but you are required to contact us first to try and sort the matter out before contacting the Information Commissioner. The Commissioner will want to see proof of that before getting involved. So do get in touch with us first if you are not happy, and tell us why you believe we are wrongly withholding information from you. If you are not satisfied with our answer, please contact the Information Commissioner.
Where can I get more information about the FOI Act?
You can get more information about the FOI Act from the Northern Ireland Information Commissioner. The details are:
Website:
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Phone: 028 9051 1200
Fax: 028 9051 1584
Email:
ni@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Post: Information Commissioner’s Office – Northern Ireland
Room 101, Regus House
33 Clarendon Dock
Belfast, BT1 3BG
Charging
Is there a cost for gathering information?
For the most part, access to information will be free. As a general rule, if it costs us less than £450 to gather the information, it will usually be provided free of charge, although there may be a charge for things like photocopying and postage. If gathering the information you want is likely to cost more than £450, we do not have to provide it, even if you agree to pay the extra costs. The exception to this is Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). If the cost to gather EIR information is more than £450 and you are prepared to pay these costs, we must gather it for you.
What is a Publication Scheme?
A publication scheme is a list of the range of information which we agree to make regularly available. The publication scheme tells you how this information will be published and if it includes publishing in other formats – like CD-Roms.
Information, although freely available from this site, should not be used to infringe copyright, for example, by making multiple copies or publishing them for the public.
Useful Links
Department of Health for Northern Ireland
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk
Information commissioner for Northern Ireland
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Department for Constitutional Affairs
www.dca.gov.uk
Public Records Office for Northern Ireland
www.proni.gov.uk