Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) gives people a general right of access to information held by or on behalf of public authorities. It is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public sector bodies, and therefore to facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do, and how they spend public money.
Anyone has the right to ask public authorities for any information they hold, although there are some exemptions that may prevent information being released.
To make a Freedom of Information request please e-mail: freedomofinformation@stokepct.nhs.uk
Or alternatively write to:
Freedom of Information Office
Information Governance
Staffordshire Commissioning Support Service
Herbert Minton Building
London Road
Stoke on Trent ST4 7PZ
All FOI requests received via any other routes are also forwarded immediately to the Freedom of Information Office so that a standard approach can be taken. Requests are handled in accordance with the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and wherever possible best practice guidelines from the Information Commissioner's Office and the Ministry of Justice are followed to maximise openness and transparency. Further information on the Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be found here or in this factsheet.
Publications Scheme
Every public authority is required to adopt and maintain an approved publication scheme, which gives a commitment to routinely and proactively provide information to the public.
NHS Stoke on Trent has adopted the Model Publication Scheme approved by the Information Commissioner's Office.
The Information Commissioner has issued specific guidance about the Information that NHS Trusts are expected to make available. This guidance can be viewed on the Information Commissioner's website by clicking on this link: Definition document for Health Bodies in England.
The publication scheme is organised into the following categories or classes of data:
- Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts. - What we spend and how we spend it
Financial Information about projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit. - What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews - How we make decisions
Decision making processes and records of decisions. - Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities. - Lists and registers
Information the PCT holds in either a list or register - Services provided by NHS Stoke on Trent
Information about the services the council provides including leaflet, guidance and newsletters
Charging Information
NHS Stoke on Trent does not intend to charge for the provision of information. In the unusual and extreme cases where it will cost more than the prescribed fees set out by the Information Commissioner's Office (£450 as at July 2009) to identify if the information requested is held, the individual making the request will be advised of:
- The cost implications to action the request (providing a breakdown of both hours and monetary value)
- The provision of advice and assistance from the organisation to allow them to refine their request to reduce the time taken / costs incurred.
In many cases, it will be immediately obvious that dealing with the request will not exceed the cost (£450) limit and it will be dealt with without any need for reference to charging. However we will charge you for hard copies or copying onto media (e.g. CD ROM). 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. Information via email will be free of charge.
