Information about Trust business

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust continuously endeavours to make information available to its services users, staff and the public at large, to help them understand the nature of the Trust’s business and how it operates.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Trust to make even more of its business information accessible and makes it easier for you to get information about us. This law, which came into effect on 1 January 2005, means that anyone anywhere can ask us for any information we hold.  Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Northern Trust is legally committed to providing timely and accessible information to the public and responding to reasonable requests for information. There are no time limits on how far back you can gain access to information, as long as we hold it on record.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 provides the public with a general right of access to information held by all public authorities, including health and social care organisations like the Northern Trust.

The FOIA requires the Trust to make certain information, as detailed in its Publication Scheme  routinely available. The Trust complies with this legislative requirement by making such information accessible via this website. Where information is not automatically available, the Trust is obliged to consider any specific request for information in accordance with the legislation. Only in limited circumstances, where an exemption applies, can information be withheld in response to a specific request.

Where possible, the Trust will make information available free of charge. There are, however, some circumstances in which a fee will be applied. In such instances, the Trust will inform the applicant of any associated charges before supplying the information.

Making a Freedom of Information enquiry

All you have to do is submit your request in writing, by letter or email, to the Information Governance Office which is responsible for dealing with FOI enquiries that the Trust receives.  Remember to provide your contact details so that we can reply to your request.

Media requests

The Corporate Communications Department provides a point of contact for all media enquiries.

Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004

Environmental information falls under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), rather than the FOIA. The Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004 came fully into force on 1 January 2005, and it gives the public particular rights of access to environmental information held by the Trust.

Environmental Information

The Regulations do not specify exactly what information is classed as environmental, but among the types covered are:

• Raw data on subjects such as air and water quality levels, industrial discharge rates, soil quality and biodiversity.
• Regulatory measures affecting the environment, including policies, plans, programmes and agreements.
• Reports on the implementation of environmental legislation.
• Economic analyses, including cost benefit analyses on regulatory measures.
• Health and safety information, on subjects such as food and land contamination and quality of life.