The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act gives a general right of access to information held by public authorities. It allows the public see how we make decisions, organise, and deliver our services, encouraging a spirit of openness in the NHS.
If the authority holds the information and it is not legally exempt from disclosure the information must be supplied within 20 working days. Requests for information should be made in writing or email and sent to the Information Governance Service:
Email: NGCCG.FOI@nhs.net
Address
Information Governance Service
John Snow House
Durham University Science Park
Durham
County Durham
DH1 3YG
Covid-19 – Freedom of Information request update
Your FOI request will continue to be dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the CCG will aim to answer your request within twenty working days. Whilst the CCG will make every effort to adhere to the statutory timescale the current national Coronavirus emergency may impact upon our ability to do this.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has acknowledged that resources, whether they are finances or people, might be diverted away from usual compliance or information governance work as organisations need to prioritise other areas or adapt their usual approach during this extraordinary period.
The ICO cannot extend statutory timescales, but will tell people through their communications channels that they may experience understandable delays when making information rights requests during the pandemic.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable. If that is the case, I will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you if appropriate. You will be required to pay the relevant fee before we will proceed to deal with your request.