The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed on 30 November 2000 and became fully operational on 1 January 2005.

The Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities.

The intention of the Act is to encourage a spirit of openness and transparency in the NHS and to let the public see how we make decisions, organise, and deliver our services.

If the authority holds the information and it is not legally exempt from disclosure the authority has a duty to supply the information requested within 20 working days. All requests for information should be made in writing or email and sent to the Information Governance Manager:

Information Governance Manager,
John Snow House,
Durham University Science Park,
Durham,
County Durham
DH1 3YG

Email: SUNCCG.FOI@nhs.net

If you are unhappy with a refusal to disclose information you should firstly complain to the CCG.  If you continue to be dissatisfied with the response you can then appeal to the Information Commissioner who will investigate the case and either agree with the CCG’s decision or decide that the information must be disclosed.

The address for the Information Commissioner is:

Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Covid-19 – Freedom of Information request update

Your FOI request will  continue to be dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and  the CCG will aim to answer your request within twenty working days. Whilst the CCG will make every effort to adhere to the statutory timescale the current national Coronavirus emergency may impact upon our ability to do this.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has acknowledged that resources, whether they are finances or people, might be diverted away from usual compliance or information governance work as organisations need to prioritise other areas or adapt their usual approach during this extraordinary period.

The ICO cannot extend statutory timescales, but will tell people through their communications channels that they may experience understandable delays when making information rights requests during the pandemic.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable. If that is the case, I will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you if appropriate. You will be required to pay the relevant fee before we will proceed to deal with your request.