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Freedom of Information

From 2005, the Freedom of Information Act placed an ongoing duty on every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme (scheme/PS). A PS facilitates the proactive release of information and plays a vital role in providing greater openness and transparency across the public sector. To demonstrate our commitment to this principle, information we routinely publish or intend to publish is categorised into classes in our Scheme, along with an indication of how the information might be obtained and any charges that we might make for it.

Our new publication scheme

2005 Publication Schemes expired for all public bodies on December 31, 2008. To replace them, the Information Commissioner has developed new model publication schemes for all public sector organisations. Our trust must adhere to the model scheme for health bodies. This prescribes the classes of information that any NHS Trust would normally be expected to hold. Compliance with the new schemes is compulsory from January 1, 2009.

Our new Publication Scheme is avaliable to view on our publications pages.

How to access Information about the trust

Information of a general business or administrative nature – that is, about who we are, what we do and how we run our Trust - can be accessed in one of two principal ways under the Freedom of Information Act: either by searching our website and Publication Scheme for information we routinely publish or, when the information is not already published by us or another agency, by making a specific request.

Option 1: By searching our website and publication scheme

Please use the links on the left hand menu to access information about our trust.

To read or download the documents in our publication scheme you'll need an up-to-date copy of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader - click here to download it.

Option 2: By making a specific written request

If you cannot find the information you require on our website or within our Publication Scheme, please contact our Trust's FOI officer, via the one of the following methods:

By email: FOI Office@bsmhft.nhs.uk

By letter:           FOI Office
                          Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
                          Unit 1 B1, 50 Summer Hill Road
                          BIRMINGHAM
                          B1 3RB

By telephone: 0121 301 1159

It is a requirement of the Act that, to be valid, requests be made in writing (email or letter), contain an address for reply and be worded clearly. It is also a requirement that we respond to you within 20 working days of receiving a valid request. However, to help us ensure we provide you with the best service we can, you might find it useful to consult our Guidance notes first as there are other considerations that might apply. If after this, you still require advice - or would like help with formulating your request - please telephone the FOI Office first on: 0121 301 1159

It is important to us that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the Scheme difficult to understand, have a complaint about it or if you have suggestions as to how it might be improved, please contact the FOI Office (as above).