How do I make a request for information?
A great deal of information is held within the publication scheme so this should be your first port of call when seeking information. Such information can be downloaded and printed via your computer free of charge. However, if you are unable to find what you are looking for on the publication scheme, please make a written request to:
Freedom of Information Team
NHS Kent and Medway,
Wharf House,
Medway Wharf Road,
Tonbridge, TN9 1RE.
Tel: 01732 375200
Or email: FOI@nhs.net
Or complete the online form
The request must state a valid postal or email address for the person applying for the information and details of what information is required.
What will we do when we receive your request?
We will acknowledge your request and inform you if we require further information in order to identify and locate the information you have requested.
How long will it take?
We are obliged to comply with our FOI Act obligations promptly and within 20 working days following the date we receive your request. If we need to ask you for clarification of the request, the 20 working day period does not start until that is received.
How much will it cost to make a request?
A lot of information may be supplied free of charge. However, sometimes you may have to pay a fee, either to cover administration costs or to pay photocopying or postage costs, or because of the expense involved in finding and supplying the information. You will be told in advance if a fee will apply and you then have time to consider whether or not you would like to continue with your request.
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent copyright (2010)
You may re-use this document/publication (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium. You must re-use it accurately and not in a misleading context. The material in part or whole must be acknowledged as NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent copyright and you must give the title of the source document/publication.
Where we have identified any third party copyright material you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
Any enquiries regarding this document/publication should be sent to us at:
Freedom of Information Act Case Manager,
Legal Services,
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent,
4th Floor, Kent House,
81 Station Road,
Ashford,
Kent, TN23 1PP.
Complaints and review process
If you think that the NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent has not supplied you with information in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and wish to make a complaint or request a review regarding any of the following:
- A refusal of a request for information under FOI Act or EIR
- Dissatisfaction with a response to a request
- The Trust’s FOI and EIR policy
- Non compliance with the scheme
Please contact:
Jamie Sheldrake,
Information Governance Manager,
NHS Kent & Medway,
Wharf House,
Medway Wharf Road,
Tonbridge,
Kent, TN9 1RE
Email: foi@nhs.net
What we will do:
Acknowledge the complaint within two working days.
Review the procedure and the handling of the request in conjunction with the FOI Act and EIR. The re-evaluation will be carried out by members of staff more senior than the staff member who dealt with the original request for information. The senior staff member will be independent, in that they will have not been involved in the original request for information.
A fresh decision will be made on consideration of all the factors relevant to the issue.
A one-stage review should be completed in 20 working days. In exceptional cases it may be appropriate to take longer but even in those cases it should not exceed 40 working days.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the re-evaluation you have the right to refer your complaint to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF.
Telephone: 08456 30 60 60.
