Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act relates to official information held by public authorities.

The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request official information held by public authorities, unless there are good reasons to keep it confidential.

It aims to make public sector bodies more open and accountable. It also helps people to understand better how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money.

Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing timely and accessible information to the public and responding to requests for information.

How to request information about the Trust
 
Your request for information must be in writing, include a name and address for correspondence (email address is also acceptable) and describe the information that you are requesting, giving us enough detail about the information in order to allow us to correctly identify and find it.
 
You can write to:

The Publication Scheme Coordinator
Directorate of Safety and Governance
Devon House
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Bordesley Green East
Birmingham
B9 5SS

You can email us
You can use our online form 

What happens after we receive your request for information?

We aim to respond to your request for information within twenty working days. We will inform you if any delays appear likely. We may contact you if we require further clarification of you request.

We will disclose information wherever possible. However, in certain circumstances, it will be necessary to withhold some or all of the information requested under one of the exemptions outlined in the Act. If information is not supplied to you the Trust will specify which exemption has been claimed and why. All requests for information will be carefully considered on their own merits and with close regard to the public interest.

Previous Freedom of Information requests

Past requests made under the Freedom of Information Act are routinely published on our website. You may wish to browse this section before making a request for information.

For ease of access they are published under the following categories: Human resources, Finance, Estates and facilities, Patient data, information technology, Medical equipment, Policy and procedures, Commercial, Infection control, Services, Other.

Requests for personal data

Maintaining the right of confidentiality is an important commitment for all NHS organisations. The Data Protection Act 1998 governs the processing of personal information (information relating to living individuals).

This legislation makes it possible for you to request your own personal data that the Trust may hold.

If you wish to view the notes relating to a current episode of care, please speak to the person who is in charge of your care.

If you would like to view or receive a copy of your medical records file we will charge you a fee to cover our administration and costs. Please write to:

Medical Records Department
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
Bordesley Green
Birmingham
B9 5SS

Please note that the main medical records department is located at Heartlands Hospital. This is also the address to write to if you were treated at Good Hope Hospital, Solihull Hospital or the Birmingham Chest Clinic.

Further information

Further information relating to  Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office.