Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities.  The Act sets out exemptions to that right and places certain obligations on public authorities. 

More information about the Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be found on the Information Commissioner's website, please click here to view. The new model publication scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner and comes into force from the 1st January 2009.  Please click here to view the model scheme.

• Our Commitment

  Under this Publication Scheme we commit to make information available to the public as part of our normal business activities if we hold this information.  The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below.  The website, as a whole, is our Publication Scheme and you will be able to access information as highlighted in the classes of information if we make this information routinely available.
  
  The scheme commits Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust to:
  proactively publish or otherwise make information available to the public, including environmental information, which is held by us and falls within the classes of information
  specify the information which is held by us and fallwithin the classes of information
  proactively publish or otherwise make available information in line with the statements contained within this scheme
  produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by you
  review and update on a regular basis the information that we make available under this scheme
  produce a schedule of fees charged for access to information

• Classes of Information

  Please find below a list of information which is expected to be published by all NHS organisations.
  
  Click on the title below to view the information available.
  
  Who we are and what we do
  Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
  
  What we spend and how we spend it
  Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
  
  What are our priorities and how we are doing
  Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
  
  How we make decisions
  Decision making processes and records of decisions, for example minutes of senior management meetings.
  
  Our policies and procedures
  Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities.
  
  Lists and registers
  Information contained within current maintained lists and registers.
  
  The services we offer
  Information about the services we offer, including leaflets, guidance and newsletters
  
  The classes of information will not generally include:
  Information which is not permitted to be disclosed by law or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
  Information in draft form
  Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons

• Method of Publication & Publication Scheme Information Requests

  Information will generally be made available via our website.  Where the information cannot be provided online and is only available in hard copy, you can contact us at the details below:

  Email: Informationgovernance@wwl.nhs.uk  

  Information Governance 
  Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
  Suite 9, Buckingham Row
  Brick Kiln Lane
  Wigan
  WN1 1XX
   

  In exceptional circumstances, some information may be available only by viewing in person.  Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided.  An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
  
  Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. 
  
  Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme.

• Freedom of Information Requests

  As an open and transparent organisation we are committed to routinely publishing as much information as possible; however if you would like information whic is not on our website or otherwise available through our Publication Scheme 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. 

  For more information about the Freedom of Information Act 2000 - please click here.
  
  For more information about the Environmental Information Regulations 2005 - please click here.
  
  Requests for such information should be sent to:

  FoI Request Co-ordinator
  Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
  Suite 9, Buckingham Row
  Brick Kiln Lane
  Wigan
  WN1 1XX
  
  Email: foi@wwl.nhs.uk

  Or you can complete our online Freedom of Information Request Form by clicking here.
  
  By law we have to deal with such requests within 20 working days.  If you make a request and are not satisifed 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:

  Information Governance Co-ordinator
  Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
  Suite 9, Buckingham Row
  Brick Kiln Lane
  Wigan
  WN1 1XX

  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 dissatisifed 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 5AE
  
  Tel: 08456 30 60 60
        01625 54 57 45

  Or you can complete the online enquiry form - click here to be taken to the form.
   

• Fees and Charges

  Publication Scheme Fees and Charges
  
  The Freedom of Information Act and the associated Fees Regulations stipulate that we cannot levy a fee for information unless there is a statutory basis for doing so.  However, we are allowed to charge for disbursements related to the provision of information and any reformatting requested by the applicant provided we ensure that applicants are aware of any charges which may be made.

  No charges will be made for any information accessed via our website.
  
  For any information which is provided in hard copy and where there is no statutory provisions for charges, we may charge for photocopying (50p per copy), reformatting (applicant will be informed prior to producing information regarding the charge dependent upon the amount of materials used e.g. CD, paper etc) and postage.
  
  Freedom of Information Request Fees and Charges
  
  Depending on what information you have requested, there maybe a charge for the copying of the materials that you are seeking. In the majority of cases the Trust will absorb this cost.

  If it is necessary to make a charge we will contact you to confirm whether you still wish to proceed with the request.
   

  In estimating whether a request would exceed the appropriate limit (£450 - this is the amount it is has cost us to determine whether we hold the information, locate the information, retrienve the information and extract the information) we can then ask for a fee.

  Where the time involved in us undertaking activities in trying to retrieve the information exceeds 18 hours (equals £450 at a cost of £25 per hour per person) we can then ask for a fee.

  In these case we will contact you to establish whether you wish to:

  amend the request so that the cost is reduced to below £450
  no longer proceed with the request

  If you wish to still obtain the information, the maximum fee that can be charged is described in the Fees Regulstions - click here to view this document and is the sum of:
   

  the costs which the Trust may take into account in calculating that the appropratie limit (£450) was exceeded
  communication costs
  staff time, at £25 per hour per person

  Where the cost of compliance does not exceed the appropraite limit (£450), the request must be complied with and the information released unless an exemption applies.

  For more information about Freedom of Information, please click here.
   

• Further information

  If you would like further information about the provision of information or have any difficulty accessing information provided on our website, please contact us:
  Email: Informationgovernance@wwl.nhs.uk  

   
  Information Governance Co-ordinator
  Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
  Suite 9, Buckingham Row
  Brick Kiln Lane
  Wigan
  WN1 1XX

  Please note that public organisations such as Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust will often hold information as part of their normal activities, which cannot be expected to make public.  This is recognised in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which provides exemptions from the obligations under the act in certain circumstances.