Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) provides you with access to information held by public authorities.
You can ask for information about the business processes, statistics or day-to-day workings of the Trust for example. Before making a formal request check our website to see if it has what you want.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has produced a model publication scheme which has a guide to the types of corporate information we must make available.
Our publications library shows most of what we publish. This however is not a complete list. If you want information that is not published you can make an individual application.
What information can I obtain?
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has produced a model publication scheme which contains a guide to the types of corporate information we are expected to make routinely available as a public authority.
Our Guide to Information page gives you specific information about what we publish, including:
- how it will be published
- where to find it
- and any charges for supplying copies.
This guide is not a comprehensive list of what is available through the FOIA. You may want information that is not already published. You are entitled to ask for that by making an individual application.
Information is not limited to paper documents, it also includes material on our website or answers to questions that interested people may want to ask.
What information is already available?
The COI Publication Scheme and our Guide to Information are jointly a complete guide to the information routinely published by us. It lists the information about our Trust which we make publicly available.
It is important to us that the guide meets your needs and we have designed it to help you find information about the Trust easily. However, if you feel there is information that should be added to the guide that we have missed, please feel free to contact us at the address below.
Can I get access to information about myself or other patients?
Maintaining this right of confidentiality is an important commitment for all NHS organisations. All Trusts have appointed a Caldicott Guardian who is responsible for ensuring the protection of patient confidentiality throughout each Trust in accordance with patient legal rights. The Caldicott Guardian for our Trust is our Medical Director.
You may obtain access to your own health records under the Data Protection Act 2018 - Find out more here.
Will I be able to get access to all the Trust's information?
Is there a charge for information supplied from the Guide to Information?
How can I get access to information not contained within the Guide to Information?
You do not need to say why you want the information. You must give us enough detail about the information so we can correctly find it.
We will tell you if we require a fee and contact you as soon as possible. When your payment is received, we have 20 working days to send you the information.
Make your request in writing to the information governance manager at the address at the bottom of this page.
Where can I see the Guide to Information?
How can I make a complaint or appeal?
You can also contact the Government department responsible for ensuring organisations comply with the Freedom of Information Act:
The Information Commissioner
How can I access my health records?
You can do this by writing to, or emailing the Information Governance Manager for an application form and guidance notes to help you in your application.
To make a request contact:
Information Services - Building 14
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
Springfield University Hospital
61 Glenburnie Road
SW17 7DJ