What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. The Act sets out exemptions to that right and places certain obligations on public authorities.
The Act places two main duties on all public authorities, including NHS organisations:
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Firstly, we are required to set up and maintain a publication scheme that tells you what information we hold. Further information about the scheme will be published here in due course.
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Secondly, the Act gives you the right to request information that we hold. Unless an exemption under the Act applies, we have a duty to confirm whether or not the information exists and to provide it to you.
More information about the Act and how it is applied can be found from the website of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
The ICO is the UK's independent public body set up to promote access to official information and protect personal information by promoting good practice, ruling on eligible complaints, providing information to individuals and organisations and taking appropriate action when the law is broken.
