Freedom of information
IMPORTANT COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to the unprecedented challenges we are all facing during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we respectfully ask that if your request for information is not urgent, you consider whether your request for information under the FOI Act or Data Protection Subject Access could be delayed.
We do remain committed to responding to requests for information under FOI and Data Protection and will respond as soon as we are able. However, there may be some delay in responding to your request within the statutory timeframe due to urgent operational responses in dealing with COVID-19 priorities.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Should our response to your request breach the statutory timeframe, and you remain unhappy with our response, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioners Office and you can contact them at:
Information Commissioner’s Office – Wales
2nd Floor, Churchill House, Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HH
Tel: 0330 414 6421
Email: wales@ico.org.uk
www.ico.org.uk
twitter.com/iconews
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) reflects the government’s commitment to promote greater openness by public authorities. The purpose of the FOIA is to ensure that all public authorities, including the NHS, are open and transparent, ensuring that more information about them is made readily available. To this end, the FOIA provides for public access to information held by public authorities (although not personal information such as medical records).
For your request to be dealt with according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), you must:
- Contact us directly.
- Make the request in writing (for example, in a letter or email).
- Give your real name.
- Give an address to which the authority can reply. This can be a postal or email address.
You do not have to:
- Say why you want the information.
To Make an FOI Request
Please note: If you wish to request a copy of your medical records, please do not use the FOI email address. Your request can be directed to CTT_Medrecordrequest@wales.nhs.uk, or you contact the medical records department via 01443 443443.
Freedom of Information requests can be sent via:
- E-mail: CTM.FreedomOfInformation@wales.nhs.uk
- Post: Freedom of Information Officer, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Ynysmeurig House, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN
- Or call 01443 744800 if you wish to speak to a member of the team.
Looking for guidance on making a Freedom of Information request? Please see our helpful FAQ below.
Disclosure Log
The disclosure log provides details of Freedom of Information requests received and responded to at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Each response issued is published anonymously.
Guidelines of Reuse of Public Sector Information
Information on the reuse of public sector information can be found in our guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have a legal right to request any recorded information held by the Health Board.
- You can ask for any information you think we may hold. This right only covers recorded information.
- Your request can be in the form of a question, but we do not have to answer your question if this would mean creating new information or giving an opinion or judgment that is not already recorded.
- Your request should clearly identify the information you want.
- Some information may not be given to you because it is exempt. For example, if it would unfairly reveal personal information about someone else.
If the information is environmental, then the Health Board will respond according to the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). You do not need to know whether the information you want is covered by the EIR or the Freedom of Information Act. When you make a request, the Health Board will decide which process it needs to follow.
You can ask for any information you choose, at any time, but you may not always succeed in getting it. Before you make a request, it may help to consider the following questions:
- Is the information you want already available? – For example, is it already published on our website?
- Is the information you want your own personal data? – If your request is for information about yourself, such as your medical records, you should make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act.
- Is the Health Board likely to have the information? – It may save time if you check with us whether we are likely to have the information you want.
Your request should set out clearly the information you want.
- Be as clear as possible. If we are unsure of what you want, we will have to ask you for further information.
- Try to pinpoint what you really want. Your request may be refused if it would be too expensive for us to deal with. We may also charge you for some of the expenses associated with supplying the information (for example, photocopying).
- Where possible, ask for specific information rather than using open-ended questions. ‘What’ or ‘How much’ are more likely to get a useful response than ‘Why’.
- Say how you would prefer to receive the information. For example, whether you want the information electronically or in paper format.
We should reply to you within 20 working days. We may:
- Provide you with the information you have requested.
- Tell you we don’t hold the information.
- Tell you that another authority holds the information.
- Say that we have the information and offer to provide it on payment of a fee.
- Refuse to provide you with the information, and explain why.
- Or, say that we need more time to consider the public interest, and tell you when to expect a response.
If you are unhappy with how your request has been handled, you should complain to the Health Board in the first instance. If after this you are still not satisfied, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Request for environmental information may be handled differently from other requests. However, we should still respond within 20 working days and give reasons if we refuse your request.
If you require further information about any aspect of freedom of information, please contact:
Corporate Services Department
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Ynysmeurig House
Navigation Park
Abercynon
CF45 4SN
Tel: 01443 744800
Email: CTM.FreedomOfInformation@wales.nhs.uk