Freedom of Information Act 2000

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Down Lisburn Trust Publication Scheme incorporating The Beeches Management Centre. The Scheme is in three parts:

Part 1:	Introduction
Part 2:	The Classes of Information that we hold
Part 3:	Inspection and Monitoring Bodies, Index to the Publication Scheme, and Useful Resources

1.1 What a Publication Scheme is

This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely published by Down Lisburn Trust. It is a description of the information about our Trust which we make publicly available. We will review the Scheme at regular intervals and monitor how it is operating.

It is important to us that this Scheme meets your needs and we have designed it to be a route map so that you can find information about us easily. Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Down Lisburn Trust has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme for the publication of its information. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities.

The Publication Scheme will help you to find all the information which the Trust publishes. The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of individuals to confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act (1998), the Data Protection Act (1998) and at common law. Maintaining confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part. To help with this, we have appointed an officer(s) who has responsibility to ensure the protection of individuals’ confidentiality in accordance with your legal rights.

In Down Lisburn Trust, this officer is: -

Director of Corporate Affairs
Lisburn Health Centre
Linenhall Street
Lisburn
Co. Antrim
BT28 1LU

1.2 Information Management

Unless otherwise specified, the version of the document(s) available in this scheme will be the most recently approved by the Trust.

1.3 Feedback

Questions or comments about this Scheme, or its operation, should be sent in writing to the Director of Corporate Affairs at the above address

If you have a complaint about the operation of the Scheme or how the Trust has dealt with your request for information from the Scheme please write to the Director of Corporate Affairs at the above address.

1.4 Rights of Access to Information

In addition to accessing the information identified in this Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about Down Lisburn Trust under the Code of Practice on Openness in the HPSS (1996). A link to this is available in Part 3 of the Scheme and hard copies are available free of charge from the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety at: -

Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3PP

Sometimes, some or all of the information cannot be provided and we will explain the reasons when this happens.

The Freedom of Information Act enables you to know how public services such as the Health & Personal Social Services (HPSS) are organised and run, how funds are used 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 January 1st 2005 the Freedom of Information Act will also oblige the Trust to respond to requests about the information which it holds and is recorded in any form and it will create a right of access to that information. The rights to request and access this information are subject to some exemptions which the Trust has to take into consideration before deciding what information can be released.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals are also entitled to access any personal information held about them (subject to certain exceptions) and to do this you can contact: -

Corporate Affairs Department
Lisburn Health Centre
Linenhall Street
LISBURN
Co Antrim
BT28 1LU

Revised Environmental Information Regulations may be introduced in the future. These will enable similar access to environmental information, as under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To comply with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, this publication scheme will be made available on request in alternative formats.

PART 2: THE CLASSES OF INFORMATION

The information is grouped into broad categories.

We will state how you can obtain the information outlined within each Class. This will be either via the website or as a hard copy or other media as stated within each Class. The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class. Where information is provided at a cost the charges will be calculated.

The Down Lisburn Trust’s commitment to publish information excludes any information which can legitimately be withheld under the exemptions set out in the Code of Practice on Openness in the HPSS or the Freedom of Information Act. Where individual classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are generally the protection of commercial interests and/or personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to most Classes within the Publication Scheme. The Publication Scheme will be available in both hard copy and on our web site at a future date.

The Classes are: -

Class 1 - The HPSS and where we fit in

Planning and other documents outlining how we fit into the HPSS structure.

Class 2 - Who we are

Details of the organisation, organisational structures and key personnel.

Class 3 - Financial and Funding Information

Funding details, charging policies and financial accounts

Class 4 - Corporate Information

Reports, policies, minutes of Board and Board Sub-committee meetings and planning documents

Class 5 - Aims, Targets and Achievements

Financial targets, aims and objectives and key performance indicators. See also Class 9 below.

Class 6 - Our Services

The range of services that we provide for the HPSS and how we deliver these.

Class 7 - Reports and Independent Enquiries

Independent inspections and findings regarding the organisation. See Part 3 for a list of bodies which monitor and inspect us.

Class 8 - Policies and Procedures

General policies and procedures in use within the organisation.

Class 9 - Public Involvement and Consultation

Details of consultation procedures, decision-making processes, timescales and responses. Consultations in progress and how you can become involved.

Class 10 - Communications with the Public

e.g. Guidance and information leaflets, Press Releases

Class 11 - Complaints

Policies, procedures and contacts for complaints

Class 12 - Human Resources

Employment policies and procedures

Class 13 - Environmental Information

Our estate and land holdings, and the uses they currently enjoy. Information required to be placed in the public domain as a result of the Environmental Information Regulations, any Environmental Enforcement action and associated information (see also Introduction to Publication Scheme).

Class 14 - This Publication Scheme

In this class we will publish any changes we make to this Publication Scheme, our information management policies and a referral point for all enquires regarding information management generally in Down Lisburn Trust. We will also publish any changes or additions to publications already available under this Publication Scheme.

For the most part, we will charge you only for hard copies or copying onto media (e.g. CD ROM). Some information is available free, but for others there may be a charge. The charges will vary according to how information is made available. The charging policy is as follows:

The charges will be reviewed regularly.

The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the Down Lisburn Trust’s copyright unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated on the material to the contrary, it may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner. Where any of the copyright items in this Scheme are being re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status. Permission to reproduce material does not extend to any material accessed through the Publication Scheme that is the copyright of third parties.

You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned. For HMSO Guidance Notes on a range of copyright issues, see the HMSO web site:

www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm

or contact:

HMSO Licensing Division,

St Clements House,

2-16 Colegate,

Norwich,

NR31BQ

Tel: 01603 621000,

Fax: 01603 723000,

Email: HMSO Licensing

PART 3: INSPECTION AND MONITORING BODIES, INDEX TO THE PUBLICATION SCHEME AND USEFUL RESOURCES

3.1 The bodies involved in the monitoring and/or inspection of HPSS services include:

3.2 Useful Resources

Web sites:

3.3 Publications

www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980047.htm

www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/2000036.htm

www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk.acts/en/2000en36.htm