Freedom of Information during COVID-19

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is committed to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

However, the NHS is facing unprecedented challenges relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at the current time.  Understandably, our resources have been diverted to support our front-line colleagues who are working tremendously hard to provide care for our patients, and to those in need of our services.

We strive to be transparent and to work with an open culture.  But at this time, whilst care of our patients and the safety of our staff takes precedent, it is likely that responses to some requests for information will be delayed.  We apologise for this position in advance, and will endeavour to provide you with as much information as we can, as soon as we are able.

If you would like to withdraw your request please advise us by replying to this email. Otherwise we will do our best to respond but as outlined if it is a complex FOI this is likely to exceed the statutory timescales

The Information Commissioners Office has recognised the current situation in the NHS.

Subject Access Requests during COVID-19

As the NHS is facing unprecedented challenges relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), our resources may be diverted away from the usual compliance or information governance work and therefore you may experience delays to some requests for information.   

We will of course endeavor to provide you with as much information as we can, as soon as we are able.

Freedom of Information 

The Freedom of Information Act is a law passed by the Government that gives you the right to request information from public services.  The aim of the act is to promote trust and confidence in our public services by providing clear information and being open about what we do.

Any individual or organisation can make a request for information.  The Act gives the right to:

• be told if the information exists
• receive the information (unless the information is exempt under the Act).

Publication scheme

The Freedom of Information Act requires every public authority to have a model publication scheme, approved by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and to publish information covered in the scheme.

• Click here to view our publication scheme

Requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

If the information you require is not on the publication scheme, please send us a Freedom of Information request. When requesting the information please include the following details:

• Your name 
• Your postal/email address
• Daytime telephone number (optional)
• The information or documents you would like to access
• The way you would like the information sent to you (eg by post or email)

Please send any requests in writing to:

Information Governance Department
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
c/o 1^st Floor
66 High Street,
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP20 1SD

Via email to: bht.bhinfo@nhs.net

Patient confidentiality

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act, common law and Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention. 

Have you recently made a Freedom of Information request to us?

We would welcome your feedback. Please click here to answer a brief feedback survey.