Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 follows on from the NHS Openness Code issued in 1995. It allows the public a general right of access to recorded information held by organisations for their public functions.

The Act places a duty upon us to adopt and maintain a publication scheme that must be approved by the Information Commissioner. This scheme will set out the types of information we publish, the form in which the information is published, and details of any charges.

To ensure that we comply fully with the requirements of the Act, NHS North Lincolnshire have made appointments in accordance with the Lord Chancellors Department guidance.

If you have any queries about the Freedom of Information Act, or its implementation at NHS North Lincolnshire, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

Publication Schemes

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 places a duty on public authorities to adopt and maintain publication schemes which must be approved by the Information Commissioner. Such schemes must set out the types of information the authority publishes, the form in which the information is published and details of any charges.

For further detailed information about the Freedom of Information Act you may be interested in the following site: Public Partners - Supporting delivery of FOI

• Freedom of Information Policy (Acrobat Document)
• Freedom of Information Publication Scheme (Acrobat Document)

GP Consortia

NHS North Lincolnshire is currently working to support local GPs in the transition to a GP Consortia. It is our understanding that the current proposals consist of:

• One consortium across North Lincolnshire’s GPs with the same geographical area as NHS North Lincolnshire currently covers
• Five localities within the one consortium
• Transition Board to be established from March/April 2011. The process for this is being led by the LMC
• Expected make-up of the transition board for the first six months will total eight GPs. This will consist of the three current Clinical Executive Committee GP members, Dr Sanderson, Dr Falk and Dr Tandon plus one GP from each locality.
• The GP Consortia management allowance will consist of the previous PBC monies plus £2 per head of population. However this is not yet broken down into areas
• The GPs are still agreeing timescales for Pathfinder status but it is expected to be June 2011.