Publication Scheme

Publication Scheme – Guide to Information

Under section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, NHS South of England has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme for the publication of information. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities.

This publication scheme is divided into seven classes and is a guide to the information that is made available to the public. This Publication Scheme will be reviewed at regular intervals.

Cost of information

In this Publication Scheme, all the electronic information which is downloadable from our website is provided free of charge for personal use. Where information is only available in hard copy there may be a charge for the cost of copying and postage. The cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance will be made known to the requestor. Leaflets and brochures, such as those on services we offer to the public, will be provided free of charge.

Copyright

Please see rights of access to information below, where you wish to re-use information in this Publication Scheme for commercial gain. 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.

The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to 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. If any of the copyright items in this publication scheme are being re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status.

For guidance on a range of copyright issues, please visit the Office of Public Sector Information website.

Patient confidentiality

Although we make available a large amount of information through our Publication Scheme, the Freedom of Information Act does not override a patient’s right of confidentiality. Your rights to confidentiality are protected under Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention and the Data Protection Act.

Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be a crucial commitment. To help achieve this, we have appointed someone who is called a Caldicott Guardian who has responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with your legal rights.

Right of access to information

The Freedom of Information Act recognises that as a member of the public, you have the right to know how public services, such as the NHS, are organised and run; how much they cost; how you can make complaints; which services are being provided and; the measures that are being set, the standard of service that is expected and the results being achieved.

We are also obliged to respond to requests about the information held in any recorded form and the Act creates a right of access to this information. The rights to request and access this information are subject to some exemptions which the Trust has to take into consideration, before deciding what information can be released.

Under the Reuse of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005, you may re-use information for commercial gain in this Publication Scheme or other information supplied under a Freedom of Information request.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you.

Caldicott Guardian

The Caldicott Guardian is a senior person responsible for protecting the confidentiality of patient and service-user information, and enabling appropriate information sharing. The Caldicott Guardian for NHS South of England is:

Mike Durkin
Medical Director
NHS South of England
South West House
Blackbrook Park Avenue
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2PX

Telephone: 01823 361000.

Publication Scheme