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Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Purpose

The publication scheme is a guide to the information routinely published by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust has adopted the Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme and describes the types of information which we make publicly available.

Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a publication scheme for publication of the Trust’s information. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities. The Trust’s publication scheme is designed as a route map within the Freedom of Information pages on the Trust website. Information contained on our website is reviewed at regular intervals. 

Caldicott Guardian and Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO)

The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, the Data Protection Act and at Common Law. Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part. 

To help with this, the Trust has appointed a Caldicott Guardian who has the responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust. 

The Trust also has a SIRO who is concerned with identifying and managing the information risks to the organisation. This includes acting as a champion for information risk on behalf of the Board and provision of advice to the Chief Executive on the content of the Trust’s Statement of Internal Control in respect of information risk. The Department of Health guidance states that “the SIRO should be an executive or senior manager on the Trust Board". 

The Trust’s Caldicott Guardian is:

Jo Howard, Medical Director
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Trust Offices
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG

The Trust’s Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) is:

Phil Cave, Director of Finance and Performance Management
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Trust Offices
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG

Information Management

Information falling into the Classes we define will be retained in line with our retention and disposal schedules, which comply with circular HSC1999/53 and Public Record Office Guidance.

Rights of Access to Information

At the present time, in addition to accessing the information identified in this Publication Scheme, any member of public is entitled to request information about the Trust under the NHS Openness Code 1995.

The Freedom of Information Act recognised that members of the public have the right to know how public services such as the NHS are organised and run, how much they cost and the complaints process. Members of the public have the right to know which services are being provided by the Trust, the targets that are being set, the standards of services that are to be expected and the results achieved. 

The Freedom of Information Act obliges the Trust to respond to requests about information which it holds and is recorded in any form.  These rights are subject to some exemptions which the Trust has to take into account before deciding what information can be released. 

All requests must be made in writing and must state the following:

  • Requester's name

  • Requester’s address (this can be an email address)

  • Details of the information required

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, members of the public are also entitled to access their clinical records or any other personal information held about them. For advice on how to do this, members of the public should contact  our Access to Records Department.



More details on the Trust’s processes for managing Freedom of Information requests can be found in our Freedom of Information Policy