The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 publication scheme gives people the right to access information held by the Trust.

The Trust's Publication Scheme is divided into seven sections:

A. Who we are and what we do
B. What we spend and how we spend it
C. What are our priorities and how are we doing
D. How we make decisions
E. Policy and procedure
F. Lists and registers
G. The services we offer

Where information is not available via this website, FOI requests can be made by emailing fhft.foi@nhs.net. We will respond to your request within 20 working days of receiving the request.

When processing your request, we are reliant on Subject Matter Experts to be able to provide information to your specific questions raised. However, for the foreseeable future our staff will be focused solely on supporting front line staff in any way that they can and will have very limited time for administrative duties.

We are sorry that this may cause a delay in you receiving a response to your request. We will strive to respond to as many requests as we can where we receive the relevant input required.

If you are requesting copies of your medical records please email fhft.request.records@nhs.net

We are not required to make information routinely available when:

• We do not hold the information requested
• The information is exempt from disclosure under legislation (such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Data Protection Act (GDPR), e.g. personal data, confidential information or information that is commercially sensitive
• The Trust cannot easily access the information and it would take too much time to provide .

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 (GDPR) and common law.
Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part.
To help with this, we have appointed someone who is called a Caldicott Guardian, and who has responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with your legal rights.

Charges for information listed in the Publication Scheme

Most of the information listed in the Publication Scheme will be provided at no charge, such as information on the Trust website; this is clearly stated in the Scheme.
The Trust may make a charge for photocopies/print-outs of documents, copies on formats such as CD-ROM / disks and postage.
You will be informed of the exact charge before the information is provided.
We will require payment before providing the information.

Complaints about the Publication Scheme

Frimley Health NHS Trust Publication Scheme will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Certain elements may be updated throughout the year where practical and possible. If you have any comments, queries or complaints about the Frimley Health NHS Trust Publication Scheme or the processing of your request please address these to:

Nicola Gould
Associate Director of Information Governance
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Heatherwood Hospital  
Ascot SL5 7GB

Email: fhft.foi@nhs.net

Alternatively, you are entitled to appeal to the Information Commissioner (Tel: 01625 545 745). Further details can be found at www.ico.org.uk/foicomplaints

The Information Commissioners Office enforces and oversees the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Environmental Information Regulations and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.

To find out more about the information rights in the public interest visit www.ico.org.uk