Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) provides right of access to information held by public authorities, including the NHS.
The FOIA requires the Trust to:
- Provide information about the Trust through a publication scheme
- Respond appropriately to requests for information made under the FOIA
Before making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, please check our NLFT Disclosure Log and Previous Disclosure Logs and publication scheme first as the information you are requesting may be already published.
Please note North London Foundation Trust only provides services and treatments relevant to Mental Health.
We therefore do not hold information on acute services and treatments such as cancer, radiology/imaging, childbirth etc.
If you are an NHS Trust, please consider contacting us directly via Business as Usual to obtain information as opposed to FOI to avoid creating additional work for public authorities.
If you are unhappy with your response, or how we handled your FOI request you should request an internal review under the Trust’s FOI policy by emailing: NLFT.Freedom.Information@nhs.net
If you remain dissatisfied, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office
What can I request?
You can request any recorded information that you think either Trust may hold. If you are looking for your own personal data, then you should make a Subject Access Request by emailing the relevant Trust below:
For C&I: nlft.information.request@nhs.net
For BEH: beh-tr.records@nhs.net
How do I make a request?
Your FOI request must be in writing and emailed to the below:
nlft.Freedom.Information@nhs.net
Details of postal address can be found via the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page:
We do not open links/attachments due to cyber security purposes. Your FOI request must therefore be included within the body of an email.
Your request must include the following before the Trust can respond to your request:
- Your real name – we do not have to respond to requests submitted under a pseudonym and we must be able to identify you from your name or email address.
- Your email address.
- A clear description of the information you wish to obtain.
- Any preferences for the format you wish to receive the information in. We will endeavour to meet your preferences where we can.
Your request does not need to explicitly mention the FOI Act, nor do you need to tell us why you want the information.
How should I word a request?
Detailed information and guidance in making a request is available via the Information Commissioner’s Office website. In making a request it is helpful to note the following:
- Clearly identify the information you require and state dates or timescales. The Trust has the right to seek clarification if the request is not clear.
- Be as specific as possible. If your request is too general or vague it may be refused on the grounds that replying would exceed the cost limit. However, should this occur, we will provide you with advice and assistance to narrow your request.
- Use straightforward, polite language.
It would be helpful to avoid:
- Using open-ended questions or asking for an opinion or judgement that is not already recorded.
- Submitting frivolous or trivial requests.
- Mixing a request with a complaint. There is a separate process for submitting complaints.
What happens when my request is received?
Under the FOIA public authorities must respond to your request within 20 working days. We will do one of the following:
- Provide you with the information you have requested.
- Inform you we do not hold the information request, and if we are able, advise you who may.
- Inform you that we hold the information requested but withhold some or all of the information citing an exemption from the FOI Act.
If for any reason we are unable to respond to your request within 20 working days we will inform you of this.
