Freedom Of Information
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 January 1st 2005 the Act obliged 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 right to request and access information is
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, you are entitled to
access your clinical records or any other personal information held
about you. Contact the following person to do this:
Regional Head of Information
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Millennium Point
Waterfront Business Park
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 1LX
Email: foi@wmas.nhs.uk
Tel: 44 (0)1384 215555
Environmental Information Regulations enable similar access to
environmental information, as under the Freedom of Information Act
2000.
Charging for
Publications
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. Charges are as
follows:
- Via the Trust’s web site – free of charge,
although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal
printing costs would have to be met by the individual.
- For those without Internet access, a
single print-out as on the website would be available by personal
application or by post from:
The Freedom of Information & Document Control Manager
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Millennium Point
Waterfront Business Park
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 3BZ
- However, requests for multiple printouts,
or for archived copies of documents, which are no longer accessible
or available on the web, may attract a charge of £10 which is in
line with guidance from the Information Commissioner for the
retrieval, photocopy, postage etc. We will let you know the cost
and charges that must be payable in advance. We will not provide
printouts of other organisation’s websites.
- Leaflets and brochures - free of charge
for leaflets or booklets on, for example, services we offer to the
public.
- “Glossy” or other bound paper copies, or in some cases a CD
Rom, video or other mediums, are for charge as in our publication
lists available from:
The Chief Executive
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Millennium Point
Waterfront Business Park
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 1LX
Email: enquiries@wmas.nhs.uk
Email will be free of charge unless stated otherwise.
The charges will be reviewed regularly.
Copyright
The material available through this Publication Scheme is
subject to the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 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: 44 (0)1603 621000
Fax: 44 (0)1603 723000