Our publication scheme
This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely published by Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust). It outlines how this information is published, how you can obtain it and whether or not any fee is payable for access. It is a description of the information about our Trust which is publicly available. We will review the Scheme at regular intervals and monitor how it is operating.
It is important to us that this Publication Scheme meets your needs and we have designed it to be a route map so that you can find information about the Trust easily. Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (there is a link to the Act in Part Three), the Trust has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme for the publication of Trust information. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities (of which The Trust is one).
Confidentiality
The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of the individual for privacy in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, the Data Protection Act 1998 and at common law. Maintaining the legal right to privacy and thus confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part.
Information management
There are seven classes of information within this Scheme. Information falling into the classes is retained in accordance with the Trust’s policies which comply with Health Service Circular 1999/53 ‘For the Record’, and Public Record Office Guidance. Information not required for the business purposes of the Trust is stored at a place of deposit approved by the Lord Chancellor for the purpose of holding public records.
Rights of access to information
• The Freedom of Information Act recognises that everyone has the right to know how public services such as the NHS in England are organised and run, how much they cost and how complaints can be made about them if necessary. You have the right to know which services are being provided, the targets that are being set, the standards of services that are expected and the results achieved.
• Since 1 January 2005 the Trust has met an obligation under the Act to respond to requests about information it holds and is recorded in any form, and creates a right of access to it. The right to request and access information are subject to some exemptions which the Trust has to take into consideration before deciding what information can be released. Details are given in Part Three (Appendix 1).
Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act 1998 entitles you to access your clinical records or any other personal information in the Trust’s possession. If you wish such information please contact:
Data and security manager
Information Services
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Sydney Street
London SW3 6NP
Telephone: 020 7351 8726
How to use this Publication Scheme
Throughout the Scheme there are references to key documents held by the Trust. To access the documents, from the internet, simply click on the highlighted word(s) or use the given website links. Alternatively, contact the Publication Scheme Co-ordinator, whose details are shown below, for a paper copy. If you require a large print or audio version of the Scheme, please also contact the Publication Scheme Co-ordinator.
Feedback
The Publication Scheme is produced and maintained by the corporate governance manager and we welcome suggestions on how it might be improved. If you have any comments about the Publication Scheme, or if you have difficulty accessing any information, please contact:
Corporate governance manager
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street
London SW3 6NP
Telephone: 020 7351 8264
Email: foi@rbht.nhs.uk
If you have a complaint about the Publication Scheme, or the way in which your request for information was handled, please contact:
Mr Robert J Bell
Chief executive
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street
London SW3 6NP
Telephone: 020 7351 8652
Email: r.bell@rbht.nhs.uk
