Freedom of Information (FoI)

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

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.

From 1 January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act allowed anyone to request information held by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

The Trust is obliged to respond to requests for information. The rights to request and access this information are subject to some exemptions which the Trust will deal in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act Code of Practice and guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office.

I want to find out something about Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Before making a formal request to the Trust, please check our website to make sure that the information isn't already available. Our Publications Scheme has most of the information routinely asked for by members of the public. If the information you require is not held on our website, you can:

• Use our online request form
• Email our FoI lead 
• Call 020 7188 7525
• Fax 020 7188 7991
• Write to us at:

The Information Governance Department
1st floor, North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 9RT

When will my Freedom of Information (FoI) request be answered?

Upon receipt of your request, the Information Governance team will send you an acknowledgement letter. The team will deal with your request as promptly as possible and is under a legal obligation to provide a response within 20 working days. 

Will there be a charge for my FoI request?

In dealing with any request for information under the Act the Trust is able to charge fees in accordance with the Freedom of Information Fee Regulations.

For the most part we will charge you only for hard copies or copying onto media (eg: CD-ROM). The charges will vary according to how information is made available.

The costs to be taken into account by the Trust when determining any fee to be charged are:

• The prescribed costs - meaning any costs reasonably incurred by the Trust in determining whether it holds information of the description specified in the request, in locating and retrieving any such information, and in giving effect to any preference expressed by the applicant as to the means of communication of such information. This includes the cost of associated staff time, but does not include the cost of staff time incurred in determining whether the Trust is obliged to comply with the request for information; and
• The disbursements - meaning any costs directly and reasonably incurred by the Trust in informing the applicant whether it holds information of the description specified in the request and in communicating any such information.

The Trust does not have to comply with a request for information if it estimates that the cost of complying with the request would exceed the appropriate limit which is £450 (based on the DCA's regulations of a notional cost of 18 hours work at £25.00 per hour)

Where the cost of complying with a request exceeds the appropriate limit, the Trust may still decide to comply with the request. In this case the Trust shall follow one of the following arrangements:

• Provide the information at no charge
• Charge the full cost
• Charge the difference between the total cost and the appropriate limit

What do I do if I am dissatisfied with the Trust's response?

In the first instance you should appeal directly to the Trust in line with our FOI appeal process - download a copy of the  appeals process document (PDF 44Kb), or you can email us at foi@gstt.nhs.uk for a copy to be sent to you.

If you remain dissatisfied following the appeals process, you have the right under section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information Commissioner to seek resolution to the matter.

What is the Data Protection Act?

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are entitled to access your health records or any other personal information held about you.  We are required to keep all records that can identify someone (for example, records that contain your name, date of birth and address) in a secure place that can only be accessed by an authorised member of staff.

To access your health records, you should ask the clinician who is treating you, or another member of staff. Alternatively if you would like a copy of your health record please contact:

The Information Governance Department
1st floor, North Wing
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 9RT
Tel: 020 7188 4834
Fax: 020 7620 0750 

You will need to fill in a form and provide proof of identity. Under the requirements of the Data Protection Act, we are obliged to comply with your request within 40 calendar days once the fee is received.