Your right to know

Freedom of Information

Classes of information

In order to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 public sector organisations such as ours have to routinely publish information whenever possible.

The Information Commissioner (ICO) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The ICO has drawn up what is called a Model Publication Scheme for all public sector organisations.

The ICO has also published a ‘Definition Document for NHS Organisations' that sets out in some detail what his minimum expectations are as far as we are concerned.

We are reviewing the information we routinely put into the public domain to ensure we are compliant with the Definition document.

Most of the information we make routinely available can be accessed through our websites by using the search facility. If you cannot find information through the search engine please contact enquiries@nhsiq.nhs.uk or call 0191 229 2947 and ask for the information to be provided to you.

How to access information not included in the Publication Scheme.

As an open and transparent organisation we are committed to routinely publishing as much information as possible; however if you want information which is not on our website or otherwise available through our guide to information you may ask us for it in accordance with further provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and of the Environmental Information Regulations 2005.

Requests for such information should be submitted as follows

by email to - enquiries@nhsiq.nhs.uk

by phoning - 0191 229 2947

Or you can write to:

NHS Improving Quality
Third Floor
New Croft House
Market Street East
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6ND

By law we have to deal with such requests within 20 working days.

If you make a request and are not satisfied with the way in which we deal with it you may ask us to review any decision we make. If you wish us to undertake such a review you should write to NHS Improving Quality at the above address.

Any review will normally be under the control and direction of a senior member of staff who had no involvement in the original decision or process.

If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of any review you may complain to the Information Commissioner whose address is:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF