Publication Scheme

As a public body, NHS Direct Tameside NHS Foundation Trust has a duty to comply with all aspects of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Freedom of Information Act was introduced at the beginning of 2005 to oversee access to information held by public bodies. There are similar regulations that manage environmental information in the same way. For more information please read our Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations Policy.The Act gives individuals or organisations the right to request information held by a public authority.

A Publication Scheme is a specific guide to the information that an authority holds.

Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Publication Scheme has been designed to comply with revised guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Office in 2008. As such, the information provided in this section is divided into seven classes of information. These classes are detailed below.

Given the amount of recorded information that we hold, it is not possible to publish all of it on our website. If the information you are looking for is not available in this section, please submit a Freedom of Information request.

The seven classes of information within the Publication Scheme

1. Who we are and what we do
   How Tameside NHS Foundation Trust fits into the wider NHS structure, and details about our senior management and partner organisations.
2. What we spend and how we spend it
   Financial information about the Trust, annual accounts, and staff pay grades.
3. Our priorities and performance
   Tameside NHS Foundation Trust's annual reports, business and strategic plans.
4. How we make decisions
   Tameside NHS Foundation Trust’s criteria used for decision making, board agendas, supporting papers and minutes.
5. Our policies and procedures
   Current written protocols and procedures for delivering the Trust's services.
6. Lists and registers
   Lists of the Trust’s contractors and suppliers, and asset registers.
7. The services we offer
   Services the Trust provides, corporate communications and media releases.

The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, the Data Protection Act and at Common Law. Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part.

At the present time, in addition to accessing the information identified in this Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Sometimes, some or all of the information cannot be provided and we will explain the reasons why if this happens.

All requests must be in writing and must state the following:

• Requester's name
• Requester's address
• Details of the information which you require

You can request information by sending us a letter to:

Information Governance Manager
Tameside General Hospital
Fountain Street
Ashton-Under-Lyne
OL6 9RW

or by email to: foi@tgh.nhs.uk

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, patients are entitled to access their health records or any other personal information held about them by the Trust. For further information about accessing your own health records please contact the Trusts Medical Records Manager or the Records Management Office on:

Telephone: 0161 922 6519

Email: accesstohealthrecords@tgh.nhs.uk

by Post:
Associate Medical Records Manager
Tameside General Hospital
Fountain Street
Ashton-Under-Lyne
OL6 9RW

Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust welcomes feedback on how this Publication Scheme and the publications themselves could be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this Scheme should be sent in writing to:

Information Governance Manager
Tameside General Hospital
Fountain Street
Ashton-Under-Lyne
OL6 9RW

If you have a complaint about the operation of the Publication Scheme or how Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has dealt with your request for information you should write to:

The Chief Executive
Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Darnton Building
Tameside General Hospital
Fountain Street
Ashton-Under-Lyne
OL6 9RW