The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed on 30 November 2000 with the purpose of promoting greater openness by public authorities. The Act gives the public a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities.
Any person can make a request for information held by a public authority, including any NHS organisation. Public Authorities have a duty to confirm or deny whether they hold the recorded information requested; and the person making the request has the right to have the information communicated to them.
Freedom of Information requests are processed by NHS England, please click here for more information.
The FOI Act also gives all public organisations a legal duty to produce and maintain a Publication Scheme that informs the public how and when it will make information available.