Freedom of Information requests
Freedom of Information requests
The Freedom of Information Act gives individuals a general right of access to all types of non-personal recorded information held by public authorities. The intended purpose of the Act is to promote greater transparency and openness by public authorities.
Public authorities have a number of duties under the Act and one of those is to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme. The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust has adopted the recommended Model Publication Scheme for Health Bodies in England, which was developed and provided by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The scheme covers seven classes of Information:
- Who we are and what we do
- What we spend and how we spend it
- What our priorities are and how we are doing
- How we make decisions
- Our policies and procedures
- Lists and registers
- The services we offer
We aim to make as much information available as possible through the Publication Scheme, so please look through this section of the website and the Publication Scheme page first before making an application for information. If you can’t locate the information and wish to make a request, then further details of the process can be found on the How to make a Request page.
If you have any questions or require assistance in locating or making a request for information, you can contact a member of the Information Governance team on 0151 556 3038
Please fill in the form below if you would like to submit a request for information using the Freedom of Information Act.
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust will routinely publish information via our Publication Scheme and Freedom of Information Requests are published via The Walton Centre’s disclosure log.
How to make a Freedom of Information request
If you require information under the Freedom of Information Act, please first check to see if the information is made available through the Trust's Publication Scheme. If not, requests must be in writing e.g. a letter or email, or by using the form below, and must contain your name and address for correspondence and future reference.
- Fill in the online Freedom of Information form below
- Email wcft.enquiries@nhs.net
- Or post to:
Freedom of Information Officer,
Second Floor,
Sid Watkins Building,
Lower Lane,
Fazakerley,
Liverpool,
L9 7BB.
Try to include as much information as you can to help the Trust identify the information you require.
If you need further support, please call: 0151 556 3038
Is the information you require personal information about you or an individual for whom you are a carer, parent, or guardian? If yes, this can be requested under the Data Protection Act or Access to Health Records Act by completing a Subject Access Request Form. Forms can also be obtained by contacting:
SAR Legal Team
Subject Access Requests
Information Governance Department
2nd Floor, The Sid Watkins Building
Lower Lane
Liverpool
L9 7BB
For further support, call: 0151 556 3425/6
Details of routinely published information are available on the Publication Scheme page. If you require information on hard copy, or in another format, contact the Freedom of Information Officer via the contact details above.
What will happen when I’ve made my request?
- We will acknowledge receipt of your request within two working days.
- We will endeavour to provide the information you have requested within 20 working days of receipt of your request.
- We will notify you as soon as possible if we find we are unable to provide the information within 20 working days.
- We may ask you to provide us with more information to help us locate the information you have requested.
- We will notify you if all or part of the information you have requested cannot be provided. If this happens, we will explain to you why this information has been withheld and notify you of the advice and guidance to applicants’ process.
Exclusions
On some occasions, we will not be able to disclose information, because it is covered by an exemption under the Act. If this happens, we will explain the reason why and provide you with advice and guidance; for example, we may ask you to restructure your request for similar information that is available.
In line with section 12 of the Act, if the Trust thinks it will cost more than £450 to find information and prepare it for release, then we are able to turn down a request. If this is the case, you will be informed and we will provide you with advice and guidance; for example, we may ask you to reduce the amount of information you are requesting.