Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme
Introduction
1.1
The Freedom of Information Act (The Act) was passed on 30 November 2000 and provides the public with a general right of access to all types of information held by public authorities, subject to certain exemptions.
1.2
The Act places two main obligations on public authorities. Firstly, under the provisions of Section 19, they must operate a Publication Scheme, setting out the information which they hold or may hold and will make available to the public. The Health Protection Agency Publication Scheme is detailed below, and is effective from 31 October 2003.
1.3
Secondly, Section 1 of the Act, which came into force on 1 January 2005, gives members of the public the right to make specific requests for information held by public authorities covered by the Act.
About the Health Protection Agency
2.1
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is a Non Departmental Public Body. The HPA was established on 1 April 2003 and covers England and Wales. It is dedicated to the protection of people's health by providing an integrated approach to health protection and reducing the impact of infectious diseases, poisons, chemicals, biological, and radiation hazards.
2.2
It brings together the expertise of a number of organisations, including:
- The Public Health Laboratory Service, including the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and Central Public Health Laboratory
- The Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research
- The National Focus for Chemical Incidents
- The Regional Service Provider Units that support the management of chemical incidents
- The National Poisons Information Service
- NHS public health staff responsible for infectious disease control, emergency planning, and other protection support
It works in partnership with the National Radiological Protection Board.
2.3
The HPA provides impartial authoritative information and advice to professionals and the public, and independent advice to the Government on public health protection policies and programmes; it delivers services and supports the NHS and other organisations to protect people's health from infectious diseases, chemical hazards, poisons, and radiation hazards; it monitors and responds to new threats to public health, and provides a rapid response to health protection emergencies, including the deliberate release of poisons, chemicals, or microbiological substances; and it aims to improve knowledge about health protection through research, development, education and training.
Publication Scheme
3.1
The aim of the Publication Scheme is to bring together in one place the many different types of information issued by the HPA. The Scheme categorises the information type and provides details on how to obtain it. Our aim is to save you time and effort in locating the information which you need.
3.2
The following types of documents are published by the HPA and available to the public. As much information as possible is published on our website. Documents not available electronically may be available from the Information Office Tel: 020 8327 6920; email: foi@hpa.org.uk.
Our copyright policy
4.1
The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to the Health Protection Agency's copyright unless otherwise indicated. Unless expressly indicated on the material to the contrary, you are authorised to make one free copy, by downloading to printer or to electronic, magnetic or optical storage media, of any items featured in our publication scheme for the purposes of private research, study and/or reference. If you wish to re-use or reproduce any of our publications for any other use, for example commercially or for circulation for education or other purposes, you will need to obtain our prior written permission. 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.
Table of FOI information available
How do I obtain copies of these documents?
5.1
Most of the information is on our website (www.hpa.org.uk). If you do not have access to the internet or require a paper copy, then please contact the Freedom of Information Officer, HPA, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5DF. Tel: 020 8327 6920; Fax: 020 8327 6007; Email: foi@hpa.org.uk
5.2
In addition to routinely monitoring the operation of this scheme every six months, we would welcome your comments and suggestions for improvement, which should be sent to the above address. Head of Corporate Governance, address as above, has overall responsibility for the Publication Scheme.
Access to information not available under the Publication Scheme
6.1
Our general policy stemming from both our core values and our commitment to the Freedom of Information Act (2000) is to be as open as possible in dealing with requests for information.
6.2
If, having searched the Scheme, you cannot find the information you are looking for, you can make a written request for information under the Agency's FOI Act (2000).
6.3
We will treat all requests for information on a fair and equal basis, and without prejudice. Where we are unable to provide the information you request, we will explain why. Where we decide not to release the information you request, we will explain why and give you details of how you can appeal against our decision.
6.4
Applications for information under the Agency's FOI Act (2000) should be made in writing, by post, fax or email, and should provide us with as much detail as possible to identify the information sought.
6.5
We will not normally charge a fee to supply copies of information or advice unless the request is for a priced publication or data set. However, we reserve the right to make a reasonable charge to cover the costs of transcription, photocopying, packaging and postage, or where a considerable amount of staff time would be needed to identify, process and collate information for you. In some cases, there will be separate charging arrangements for the supply of information for commercial use. We will inform you of any charges that might apply before processing your request.
6.6
Where the information you want is available in a priced publication, we will give you details of the publication and where you may buy it.
Do I have the right to appeal?
7.1
If the HPA refuses to supply all or part of the information you have asked for we will write to you giving our reasons for refusal. If you are not satisfied, you have the right to appeal to HPA to review its decision. You may also appeal if you believe the charges that we have made to supply information are unfair.
7.2
The HPA has a panel to consider appeals, which consists of two members of the HPA's executive body (directorate level and above). Neither of the members of the panel will have been involved in the original decision to refuse to supply you with information or with assessments of charges. If you wish to appeal you should write to:-
Head of Corporate Governance
HPA
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5DF
7.3
Your letter of appeal will be acknowledged within three days of the date of receipt and we have a target of six weeks to deal with your appeal. If you are still dissatisfied after HPA's appeals panel has considered your complaint you can appeal further to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Appeals to the Ombudsman must be made through a Member of Parliament. The Ombudsman will expect you to have put your complaint through HPA's appeal procedure first. The telephone number of the House of Commons Information Office, where you can get information on contacting an MP, is 020 7219 4272.
7.4
If you are not satisfied with the way we have dealt with your request, please refer to our complaints procedure before contacting the Information Commissioner's Office.
If you feel we have not complied with our obligations under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), you may also complain direct to the Information Commissioner at:-
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Information Line: 01625 545745
Switchboard: 01625 545700
Fax: 01625 524510
Email: data@dataprotection.gov.uk
Last reviewed: 19 May 2010
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