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The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed on 30 November
2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of
recorded information held by public authorities, with full
access granted in January 2005. The Act sets out exemptions to
that right and places certain obligations on public authorities.
The Act:
- Has a huge impact on the Public Sector,
- Applies to Public Authorities
- Affects everyone in the organisation,
- Statutory duty to implement,
- Allows anyone, no matter who or where they are, to find
out whether information is held, and if it is, to have
access to it,
- Is retrospective in nature,
- Creates the office of the Information
Commissioner,
- Specifies exemptions covering information that does not
have to be released,
- Requires all organisations in the NHS to set up and
maintain publication schemes that tell the public what
information is held,
- Allows arrangements for enforcement and appeal,
- Can result in imprisonment for contempt of court.
What does it mean for the NHS?
With full access rights coming into force in January 2005 the
immediate requirement for the NHS is for Publication Schemes to
be in place by October 2003.
Once implemented the Freedom of Information Act will
contribute to breaking down barriers within the NHS and will
help organisations learn from each other as well as improving
their own performance.
Publication Schemes are guides to what information the NHS
will routinely publish or intends to publish.
Publication Schemes for Somerset NHS Trusts
The following organisations have their publication schemes
available on this website.
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