Freedom Of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by the Trust.
The intention of the Act is to encourage a spirit of openness and transparency in the NHS .The Trust fully supports this aim.
The public has had full access rights since January 2005. This means that much more information is routinely and freely available. There are access rights to all types of information whether personal or non personal. This is subject to some exemptions, which are outlined below.
Any individual or organisation can make request for information. The Act also gives the right:
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to be told if information exists
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to receive information (ideally in the format requested, for example as a copy or summary), or
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the applicant may ask to inspect a record.
Our Publication Scheme
Our Publication Scheme is available in the pages listed in the left-hand menu. It is split into seven sections:
Who we are and what we do|
What we spend and how we spend it|
What our priorities are and how we are doing|
How we make decisions|
Our policies and procedures|
Lists and registers|
The services we offer|
Where can I get information?
Wherever possible, information will be available through our Publication Scheme and on our website. We are constantly updating and adding to the information on our website.
Where we are currently unable to provide information in this way or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, we will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.
In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Wherever possible, information published on our website will be able to be translated using the translation facility on the site. Where this is not possible and where we are legally required to translate any information, we will do so.
Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with our Publication Scheme.
How to make a request
If you cannot find what you are looking for in this part of our website you can either send your request to us by letter to Freedom of Information, Bedruthan House, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ, or by email: the.link@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk|. Please note that in accordance with the Act we cannot take verbal requests.
Please note, due to technical difficulties, NHS organisations may be unable to reply to Hotmail accounts. Please ensure that you provide an alternative email account or postal address to which we can reply.
Before making your request, please read the following guidance notes:
All requests for information must be in writing and include a contact name and address.
If the information you are requesting is available from another source, for example on our publication scheme, we may not have to provide you with it.
The information you request may fall under one of the exemptions listed within the Act. If this is the case we will not be able to provide you with it.
You may be charged a fee depending on the size and nature of your request.
How we deal with requests
Once we receive a request we will send a letter of acknolwedgement.
We will then make sure that we understand what information you are looking for and if there are any exemptions or fees that may apply.
The next stage for us is to find the information you are looking for and then copy and send it to you. Alternatively you may wish to come and view the information or be provided with a summary.
Responding to requests
All requests for information must be responded to within 20 working days. If we need to ask additional questions to be clearer about what you want, this time period could be longer.
The Trust is not obliged to comply with vexatious requests or repeated or substantially similar requests from the same person, other than at reasonable intervals.
What information can’t I get?
The classes of information will not generally include:
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Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
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Information in draft form.
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Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.
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Information that has been destroyed in accordance with the provisions of our records management policy and schedule of destruction.
Will I be charged for information?
The purpose of our Publication Scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the Trust for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.
Material which is published and accessed on our website will be provided free of charge. Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.
Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:
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photocopying
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postage and packaging
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the costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information
Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.
If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment will be requested prior to provision of the information.