The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) became operational in January 2005 to promote greater openness of public authorities. The Act provides general access to public authority information helping the public to understand how public authorities carry out their duties, make decisions and spend public money.

 

The Environmental Information Regulations covers information relating to, but not exclusive of, elements of the environment, health and safety, emissions and discharges. Any request received that relates to the environment will be dealt with under the EIR. We will advise you if this is the case.

 

There maybe times when information may not be released. The FOIA and EIR provides exemptions for sensitive information to be withheld. We will explain fully in our response why any information is withheld relating to these exemptions. These exemptions and further guidance about the FOIA and EIR can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.

 

All public authorities are required to put in place a Publication Scheme. This document is a guide for information which is routinely published by Heart of Birmingham tPCT. It is a description of the information about the trust that we make publicly available. This scheme shall be reviewed at intervals.

 

The Publication Scheme document can be viewed in full.

 

The Publication Scheme is set out in eight parts; please highlight the relevant section to read that part.

Introduction

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Part Four:

Part Five:

Part Six:

Part Seven:

 

Public Authorities are expected to publish a Disclosure Log under the FOIA.   This displays a list of the requests that have been received.  If there is a response that you require, please submit your request with the relevant reference number.

 

The links below may prove useful for the information relating to Heart of Birmingham tPCT:

About Heart of Birmingham tPCT

Data Protection and Access to Healthcare Records

Trust policies and procedures

Trust publications

Public Meetings – Trust Board and Professional Executive Committee

Supplier Engagement and Tendering opportunities

Current Consultations

Services – GP, Dentists, Ophthalmologists, Pharmacies

Commissioning – including Practice Based Commissioning

 

The additional links below will provide you with further information:

Department of Health

NHS Information Service – source of health information of statistical and data sets

NHS Business Services Authority 

 

Submitting an FOI request

All FOI requests must be submitted in writing or by email to the address below.  Please ensure that any request submitted includes a correspondence address for the response to be sent to.

 

Email requests:

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Written requests:

Rebecca Hough

FOI Officer

Heart of Birmingham teaching Primary Care Trust

142 Hagley Road

Birmingham

B16 9PA

 

On receipt of your request a confirmation receipt will be sent within 3 working days. A response will be then be sent to you within 20 working days from the date of receipt of your request.  If we are unable to provide you with a response within this time, we will write to explain why and when we expect to complete this by. 

 

All requests will be processed in accordance with the FOIA or the EIR.  The PCT’s Freedom of Information leaflet and FOI Policy for staff detail how we co-ordinate requests and how staff should proceed when in receipt of a request.

 

Under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 Act, sections 4 and 12, Heart of Birmingham tPCT imposes conditions on the information provided and withholds permission for you to re-use this information provided. 

 

Cost for Information

 

The Publication Scheme and FOI Policy provide information regarding the costs for information.  A charge may be levied if the request will require work in excess of 2.5 days (£25 per hour up to a total cost of £450) to response or will incur excessive photocopying and/or postage, and any other additional costs.  We will advise you of any costs before releasing the information and will liaise with you regarding alternative methods of providing you with the information.  Upon receipt of payment, the information will be transferred within 3 working days. 

What to do if you are unhappy with our response
 

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can request a review by contacting:

 

Jill Whitehouse

Corporate Service Manager

Heart of Birmingham tPCT

Bartholomew House, 142 Hagley Road

Birmingham

B16 9PA

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If you further remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request following the trusts review, you have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wimslow, Cheshire,

SK9 5AF. 

Tel: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45

Website: www.ico.gov.uk

 

We would like to obtain feedback to monitor our standards of processing FOI requests.  If you would like to provide feedback on how your FOI request has been handled, please download the FOI Feedback Form and forward to the above address.

 

 

Copyright Statement

The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the PCT’s copyright unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated on the material to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner. Where any of the copyright items in this Scheme are being re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status.

 

Permission to reproduce material does not extend to any material accessed through the Publication Scheme that is the copyright of third parties. You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned.

 

For HMSO Guidance Notes on a range of copyright issues, see the OPSI web site: www.opsi.gov.uk/advice/crown-copyright/copyright-guidance/index.htm