Preparation for the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act is mixed among NHS communications officers, with 58% saying that their organisation is ready for the act, according to a recent survey. Around 35% of those surveyed said that they felt senior management had not paid sufficient attention to the act, and 39% believed that their records systems were not currently able to cope with the new legislation. John Ashton, partner of the consultancy firm FreedomofInformation.co.uk, which carried out the survey, said that nevertheless the results showed a positive trend: “The communications managers I speak to are all committed to delivering greater openness. It’s clear that many of those who expressed concerns are, in fact, very clued up about the Act." Officers at a range of organisations were surveyed, from primary care trusts to strategic and special health authorities. The survey was carried out towards the beginning of November. The act, which comes into force on 1 January, 2005, will make all information held by all NHS organisations from hospital trusts and GP surgeries to health authorities available for scrutiny upon a written request. A total of 23 exceptions are in place, however, that will allow public authorities to refuse to hand over certain types of information; including reasons of commercial confidentiality, national security, trade secrets and formulation of government policy. However, members of the public can appeal to the Information Commissioner’s office if they feel their request was denied unfairly. Some people have warned that public bodies may be overwhelmed with requests, and be unable to send even initial responses to them within the 20 working day time limit. Tamzin Matthews, lawyer at industry law firm Morgan Cole, said: “It is clear that many people will be making requests for information that they have want to access for many years." The National Programme for IT have recently published details of their contacts for the Freedom of Information Act. A message on its website reads that NPfIT has “a policy of sharing information openly, whilst remaining professionally mindful of the sensitive nature of some of the material. Where commercially and personally sensitive data is involved, circulation of documents is restricted."
Links
NPfIT FOI pages
NHSIA FOI pages
Guide to requesting information under FOI (The Guardian)