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Freedom of Information

The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities.

Publication Scheme

Our publication scheme contains commonly requested information, such as policies, performance reports and more. Please check our publication scheme for the information you are looking for, before sending in a request:

• View Publication Scheme

If the information you want is not included in our Publication Scheme, e-mail your request to:

• nlg-tr.foi@nhs.net

You must supply a contact name for the request.

Alternatively send a written request to:

PR & Communications Manager
Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital
Scartho Road
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN33 2BA
United Kingdom

You are entitled to request information about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust under the NHS Openness Code 1995. Further information can be found on the Department of Health Freedom of Information section.

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

The Freedom of Information Act recognises that as a member of the public, you have the right to know how public services such as the NHS are organised and run, how much they cost and how you can make complaints if you need to. You have the right to know which services are being provided, the targets that are being set, the standards of services that are expected and the results achieved.

We are also obliged to respond to requests about the information which we hold which is recorded in any form. The rights to request and access this information are subject to some exemptions, which the Trust has to take into consideration before deciding what information can be released.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact:

Head of Patient Administration
Scunthorpe General Hospital
Cliff Gardens
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN15 7BH
United Kingdom

Tel: (01724) 282282 ext 2266

We will charge you only for hard copies or copying onto media (e.g. CD ROM). Some information is available free, but for others there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. Charges are as follows:

1. Via the Trust's web site
   Free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service Provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual.
   
   For those without Internet access, a single print-out from the web site is available by post from:
   
   PALS Manager
   Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital
   Scartho Road
   Grimsby
   North East Lincolnshire
   DN33 2BA
   
   However, requests for multiple printouts, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer accessible or available on the web will attract a charge for retrieval, photocopy, postage etc if this total amounts to more than £450 or takes more than 16 work hours to retrieve. We will let you know the cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance. We will not provide printouts of other organisation's websites.

2. Leaflets and Brochures
   Free of charge for leaflets or booklets on, for example, services we offer to the public. A list is available from the PALS Manager at the above address.
    
3. 'Glossy' or bound paper copies, CD ROM, video or other mediums
   May be charged.
    
4. E-mail
   Will be free of charge unless you are informed otherwise.

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. To help with this, we have appointed someone who is called a Caldicott Guardian, and who has responsibility to ensure the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with your legal rights.

Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme or how the Trust has dealt with your request for information should be sent in writing to:

PR & Communications Manager
Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital
Scartho Road
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN33 2BA