The Freedom of information act (2000) was passed in Nov 2000 and is a law giving people the general right to see recorded information held by public authorities. It replaced the Open Government Code of Practice which had been in operation since 1994. The act helps people get a better understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, make decisions and spend public money. The act applies to a number of organisations including central government, local authorities, police and police authorities, the National Health Service, schools, colleges and universities.
How to make a Freedom of Information Request?
If you require information under the Freedom of Information Act please first check to see if the information is made available through the Trust's Publication Scheme, if not subsequent requests for information must be in writing.
There are three ways you can do this:
Fill in the online 'Freedom of Information Request Form'
Email FOI@lwh.nhs.uk
Post to:
Freedom of Information
Information Governance Department
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS
All requests must include your name and address for correspondence and please include as much information as you can to help the Trust.
What will happen when I’ve made my request?
We will acknowledge receipt of your request for information within 2 working days and will endeavour to provide the information you have requested within 20 working days of receipt of your request. We will notify you as soon as possible if we are unable to provide the information within 20 working days. We may also ask you to provide us with more information to help us locate the information you have requested. In addition, we will notify you if all or part of the information you have requested cannot be provided. If this happens we will explain to you why this information has been withheld.
What the Freedom of Information Act doesn’t cover
If you require personal information about yourself or an individual for whom you are a carer, parent or guardian, this information CANNOT be requested under the Freedom of Information Act. It can be requested under the Data Protection Act or Access to Health Records Act. (Please note, if you require a copy of your health records you will be charged a fee of up to a maximum of £50 plus postage)
Please send your request to:
Access for information
Information Governance Department
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS
Publication scheme
Under the act every public authority must produce a Publication Scheme which is essentially a guide to the information a public authority routinely publishes or intends to publish. The Publication Scheme reduces the administrative burden of dealing with individual requests as well as demonstrating to the public a commitment to openness. Anybody wishing to see Trust documents should first access the Publication Scheme to see if the document they wish to view is available there. If the information you require is not in our Publication Scheme, you can make a specific request for that information. If you need a hard copy of the Publication Scheme, please contact:
Freedom of Information Lead
Information Governance Department
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS
Tel: 0151 702 4207 or email: FOI@lwh.nhs.uk