The Freedom of Information Act was passed in November 2000 is designed to promote greater openness by all public organisations. The Act allows anyone, no matter who or where they are, to find out whether information is held, and if it is, to have access to it.
The Publication Scheme is in three parts, as follows
The Ealing Hospital NHS Trust Publications Scheme is also available as a hard copy from Corporate Communications Department. Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, Uxbridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3HW. Telephone 0208 967 5664.
1. The Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received royal assent on 30 November 2000. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities. It aims to do this by making provision for the disclosure of information held by public bodies or by persons providing services for them.
When fully implemented the Freedom of Information Act will amend the Data Protection Act 1998 and will supersede the current Code of Practice on Access to Government Information 1997.
The Freedom of Information Act does not supersede the protection given under the Data protection Act 1998.
2. Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act)
The FOI Act is being implemented in stages:
By October 2003, all NHS Trusts are required to have a publication scheme in place
By January 2005, individual rights of access to information become available under the FOI Act and anyone will have a statutory right to request information within the terms of the individual right of access given by the Act.
The Act sets out some exemptions to this right. It also places a number of obligations on public authorities about the way in which they provide information. Subject to the exemptions, anyone making a request must be informed whether the public authority holds the information and if so, be supplied with it - generally within 20 working days.
There is also a duty to provide advice or assistance to anyone seeking information, for example, in order to explain what is readily available or to clarify what is wanted.
3. How to use this website
This website will help people to find all the information that Ealing Hospital NHS Trust publishes.
Some of it is available by downloading from our own web site, and can also be obtained in hard copy from:
Head of Corporate Affairs
Ealing Hospital NHS Trust
Uxbridge Road
Southall
Middlesex
UB1 3HW.
4. What is a Publication Scheme?
This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely published by Ealing Hospital NHS Trust (the Trust.) It is a description of the Information about this trust that the organisation makes publicly available. The Scheme will be reviewed at regular intervals and its operation will be monitored closely.
It is important that this scheme meets the needs of its users and it has been designed as a route map so that information about the Trust is easily found.
Under Section 19 of the Freedom of information Act 2000 the Trust has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a publications scheme for the publication of trust information. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities (of which Ealing Hospital NHS Trust is one).
5. How we will protect your confidentiality as a patient of the Trust
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 Convention, the Data Protection Act and at Common Law
Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment of this trust. To help with this a Caldicott Guardian who has responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with legal rights.
In Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, our Caldicott Guardian is:
Dr William Lynn
Medical Director
Ealing Hospital NHS Trust
Uxbridge Road
Southall
Middlesex UB1 3HW
6. Information Management
Information falling into the classes described in Part 2, will be retained in line with the Trust's retention and disposal schedules, which comply with circular HSC 1999/53 and Public Record Office Guidance.
7. Feedback
The publication scheme is for you, whether you are a patient, a carer, a member of the public or a staff member.
It is important to the Trust Board that feedback is received. We welcome suggestions about improvements to this scheme and the publications themselves.
Any queries about accessing documents listed in this publication scheme, or if there are any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme please contact:
Director of Corporate Affairs
Ealing Hospital NHS Trust
Uxbridge Road
South, Middlesex
UB1 3HW
8. Right of Access to Information
The Freedom of Information Act recognises that the public have the right to know how public services such as, the NHS are organised and run, how much services cost and how to praise or complain, should it be required.
The public has the right to know which services are being provided, the targets that are being set, the standards of service expected and the results achieved.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the public are entitled to access clinical records or any other personal information held about Trusts. To access records at present contact
Dr William Lynn
Caldicott Guardian
Ealing Hospital NHS Trust
Uxbridge Road
Southall
Middlesex UB1 3HW.
Currently, in addition to accessing the information identified in the publication scheme, the public are entitled to request information about the Trust under the NHS openness code 1995. A link to this is available in Part 3 of the scheme and hard copies are available free of charge from:
The Department of Health
Richmond House
Whitehall
London SW1
Some of this information is of a personal and confidential nature and will be excluded, as will any other confidential or commercial material relating to the health and safety of specific individuals, as to law enforcement or criminal or regulatory enforcement or audit issues under certain circumstances may also be excluded from publication.
There may be circumstances where material cannot be released because the appropriate officer of the authority has taken the view that it may be prejudicial to the conduct of public affairs. The explanation and reasons why information cannot be released will be given in the event that this occurs.
If you wish to make a request for information under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), please write to Head of Corporate Affairs, at the address shown above.
If you wish to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please write to
Pam Phillips, FOI Lead
Corporate Communications,
Ealing Hospital NHS Trust,
Uxbridge Road,
Southall UB1 3HW.
Alternatively, you can request further information online or email your request.
