Telephone: 01279 444455

The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 1QX

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This publication scheme is based on the Model Publication Scheme prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner.

The scheme commits the Trust to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by the Trust. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.

The scheme commits the Trust to:

• Proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the Trust and falls within the classifications below. 
• Specify the information which is held by the Trust and falls within the classifications below. 
• Proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme. 
• Produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public. 
• Review and update on a regular basis the information the Trust makes available under this scheme. 
• Produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available. 
• Make this publication scheme available to the public.

The publication scheme provides information in the following classes:

Classes of information:

• Who we are and what we do
• What we spend and how we spend it
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
• How we make decisions
• Our policies and procedures
• Lists and registers
• The services we offer

The classes of information will not generally include:

• Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure. 
• Information in draft form. 
• Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.

Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme

The purpose of this Scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the Trust for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum. Material which is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge. Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament. Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:

• photocopying 
• postage and packaging 
• the costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information

If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.

If you require a copy of any document listed within the scheme that is not available to download from the Trust’s website, please email foi@pah.nhs.uk. All documents listed in the Scheme will be provided free of charge, unless multiple copies are requested in which cases reasonable costs for photocopying, postage and packaging will be charged.

Patient Confidentiality

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) does not change the right of patients to protection of their patient confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act, common law and Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention.

Requesting information

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act you have a right to request details about the information that the Trust holds and records.

When requesting information please include the following details:

• Your name and address
• Daytime telephone (optional)
• Email address if you would like information sent to you in this way
• The information or documents you would like to access
• The way you would like the information sent to you (e.g. by post or email)

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you. To do this please contact:

Medical Records Manager
The Princess Alexandra Hospital Acute NHS Trust
Hamstel House
Hamstel Road
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1QX

Tel: 01279 827341
E-mail: neal.reid@pah.nhs.uk

There may be some information that we are not able to provide. If this is the case we will explain the reasons why we cannot provide that information.