Publication Scheme

The aim of a Publication Scheme is to increase the transparency of what NCH&C as an organisation do, what we spend, what our priorities are, our decisions and policies. Through publishing this information, we are also aiming to improve public access to the information we hold which will make it easier to find the information you require without having to make a written request through the Freedom of Information process.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires every public authority to have a publication scheme and to publish information covered by the Scheme. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has produced a series of approved model publication schemes for various types of public body and each model publication scheme specifies the classes of information to be included, and how that information is made available. 

NCH&C have adopted the health sector model publication scheme, which contains seven classes of information:

• Who we are and what we do
• What we spend and how we spend it
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
• How we make decisions
• Our policies and procedures
• Lists and registers
• The services we offer

You may find that some classes will hold few documents and this is either because we do not hold information for that class, the information is exempt from disclosure, the information has been archived or is inaccessible or it is impractical to prepare the information for routine release.

Further details of publication schemes can be found on the Information Commissioners website: click here

To read further detail on the health sector model publication scheme which NCH&C have adopted, please click here.

NCH&C aim to publish as much information as we can, where this information has a public interest and is not exempt from disclosure. The publication scheme will be monitored regularly to ensure it meets our obligations and aims.

Nearly all the information listed in our publication scheme can be read and downloaded free of charge. If you do not have access to the internet, a printed copy of requested documents can be sent to you free of charge. In certain cases a fee may be applied, such as if you require multiple copies of a document or you have requested the information in a certain format.

In exceptional cases certain information will be made available for viewing only and in these cases an appointment can be made to view this information. There may be charges involved for this service where special arrangements have to be made.

Information contained within this publication scheme (or supplied in response to a written request) will be available in the language in which it is held. However, if required we will translate any information on this site (or supplied in response to a written request) where NCH&C is legally required to do so. We will also comply with all disability and discrimination legislation and on request make our information available in other formats as required by law.

We strongly encourage you to check our publication scheme first before you make a written request for information through the Freedom of Information process, as you may be able to find it here. Also please bear in mind that we can refuse a written Freedom of Information Act request if the information is already readily available to you via our publication scheme.

If you would like to provide any feedback or comments on our publication scheme please contact our Freedom of Information Team by using this email address FreedomOfInformationProvider@nchc.nhs.uk or by post to the Information Governance Team, Woodlands House, Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, NR2 3TU.