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Freedom of Information

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) reflects the government's commitment to promote greater openness by public authorities.  The Act's purpose is to ensure that all areas of public bodies, including the NHS are open and transparent, ensuring that more information about public services are made readily available.

Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) recognises that the public have the right to know how the services of the Health Board are organised and run.  They have the right to know which services are being provided, the standards of services that are expected, the targets that are being set and the results achieved, together with how much it costs to provide the services it offers.

Publication Scheme

To assist the public in accessing such information and in line with the Act, the Health Board has produced a Publication Scheme  in compliance with the Model Publication Scheme produced by the Information Commissioner.  It follows the format of the seven classes of information referred to in the Model Publication Scheme and in the Definition Document for Health Bodies in Wales.

It is set out in seven separate domains and these are listed below.

Visit our Publication Scheme page for more information.

Disclosure Log

Our disclosure log lists our responses to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 which we feel are of wider public interest.

Visit our Disclosure Log page for more information.

General Right of Access

The Health Board also provides the public with a right of access to information which is not covered in the Publication Scheme.  Briefly outlined below are details of how members of the public can make requests for information to the Health Board and the type of information available to them.

Information can only be provided that would be given to anybody who asked for it, or that would be suitable for the general public to see.  It does not take into account who is asking for the information and why they want it.

Members of the public can ask for any information that they think the Health Board may hold although some information may be exempt, for example, it would be unfair to reveal personal details about somebody else.

All requests for information must be made in writing, for example, in a letter or an email, providing your name, contact telephone number and postal address or email address for the Health Board to respond to. Please ensure your request is as clear as possible otherwise we may need to write back to you to seek clarification which will result in delays.

Please:

  • email us: powys.foi@wales.nhs.uk
  • write to us: Information Governance Team, Hafren Ward, Bronllys Hospital, Bronllys, Brecon, Powys LD3 0LY
  • call us: 01874 44 2072 / 01874 44 2071

The Health Board will usually reply to requests within 20 working days from the day it receives the request.  The team will:

  • provide the information asked for;
  • notify the requestor if the information is not held;
  • notify the requestor if another public body holds the information;
  • issue a 'Fees Notice' informing the requestor if charges apply to that particular information request;
  • refuse to provide the information, and explain the reasons why;
  • notify the requestor that the Health Board requires more time to consider the public interest test, and confirm when a response should be expected.

The Information Commissioner's Office also has very useful guidance to assist you in making information requests to the Health Board. For more information please visit their website at www.ico.org.uk

For further information please access our Freedom of Information Act leaflets. 

What to do if you are unhappy about your FOI response?

If you are not happy with the way your request has been dealt with, you are entitled to ask for an internal review, this is where the Chief Executive will look at your request and make an independent decision as to whether they agree with the original response or not.  The Health Board has 20 working days in which to undertake this review and respond.

Should you wish to request an internal review please:

  • email us: powys.foi@wales.nhs.uk 
  • write to us: Information Governance Team, Hafren Ward, Bronllys Hospital, Bronllys, Brecon, Powys LD3 0LY
  • call us: 01874 44 2072 / 01874 44 2071
 
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