All staff are expected to apply the policy and to seek advice when required.

There are three fundamental information principles that we fully endorse within The NHS IC:

1. Information lies at the heart of our business
2. Second to our staff, information is our most important asset
3. Our reputation will be based on how we handle information and are seen to do so by others.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives the public a general right of access to information held by a public authority, including The NHS IC, subject to certain conditions and exemptions. Anyone, anywhere, may request information, whatever their reason for asking.

FOIA covers old and new information, and applies to information recorded in any form.

The NHS IC regards compliance with FOIA as important to the achievement of our objectives, to the success of our operations, and to ensure we are maintaining the support and confidence of the general public and stakeholders.

The NHS IC fully endorse and adhere to the requirements of FOIA as outlined below:

• To adopt and maintain a publication scheme referred to as ‘Our Guide to Information', setting out what information we publish and how we publish it.
• To provide access to information held by us; upon receipt of a written request, stating the name and address for correspondence and describing the information requested.
• To inform the requestor, in writing, whether we hold the information, and if that is the case, to communicate that information (within 20 working days), subject to any exemptions or fees notice being issued.
• For information which is exempt, to send the requestor a notice which; states the fact, specifies the exemption and states why it applies. Where we need more time to reach a decision as to the application of the provision, we will provide an estimate of the date by which we expect that decision to be reached.
• If a fee becomes chargeable, to send the requestor a fees notice, stating the amount for disbursements to be charged by us. We will not fulfil the request unless the fee is paid within a period of three months.
• To provide advice and assistance, as far as it is reasonable for us to do so, to persons who propose to make, or have made, request for information.