The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act requires all government organisations, including the NHS, to publish information about itself. The aim is to ensure information is routinely available, subject to certain exemptions, to anyone who wishes to see it.
At the heart of FOI in the local NHS is what is known as a publication scheme, and every public organisation is required to have one. A publication scheme is simply a guide to the types of information a public authority undertakes to make routinely available to the public.
Anyone can request access to information held by a public authority.
Requests for information must be made in writing, which includes emails. The request must state a valid postal or email address for the person asking for the information and details of what information is required. NHS organisations have 20 working days to respond to such a request.
