The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) came into force during 2005. The Act applies to all public authorities with the aim of making information available to any person (individual, company or any other body) on request. A request must be made in writing (including email). There are a number of exemptions that may be applied to withhold information that should not be disclosed. The FOIA is retrospective and therefore includes information that is held by a public authority prior to 2005.

The Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) were also implemented during 2005. Unlike the FOIA, an EIR request can be made verbally or in writing. There are exemptions that can be invoked to withhold the releasing of sensitive data.

Under the Freedom of Information Act any person may make a request for information and must be treated applicant and motive blind. The organisation has up to 20 working days to respond to the request.

Main Features of the Act

• A general right of access from the 1 January 2005 (subject to certain conditions & exemptions) to all information held in recorded form
• To inform the applicant if the information is held
• To adopt a Publication Scheme

If your request relates to information regarding our internal business or how MLCSU operates, please redirect your request to NHS England via the following link; england.contactus@nhs.net please include the words “Freedom of Information” in the subject line.

For information relating to services MLCSU provides on behalf of our customers, these requests should be directed to each individual CCG websites. Please see below a list of our current customers and contact email addresses

Lancashire:

• Morecambe Bay CCG https://www.morecambebayccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/freedom-of-information.                       
  TEL: 01772 777952

• Fylde and Wyre CCG http://www.fyldeandwyreccg.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information/
  TEL: 01253 956 305

• East Lancashire CCG http://www.eastlancsccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/freedom-information/foi-request-form/
  TEL: 01282 644 700

• Blackburn with Darwen CCG http://www.blackburnwithdarwenccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/freedom-information/
  TEL: 01254 282 000

• Blackpool CCG http://blackpoolccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/freedom-of-information/
  TEL: 01253 951 200

Staffordshire:

• Herefordshire CCG http://www.herefordshireccg.nhs.uk/foi-request-form
  TEL: 01432 260 618

• Stoke on Trent CCG http://www.stokeccg.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information
  TEL: 01782 298 002

• Cannock Chase CCG http://www.cannockchaseccg.nhs.uk/news-events/freedom-of-information   (county you want it for Cannock Chase)
  TEL: 01785 356 790

• Stafford and Surrounds CCG http://www.staffordsurroundsccg.nhs.uk/news-events/freedom-of-information (county you want it for Stafford and Surrounds)
  TEL: 01785 356 790

• South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular CCG http://sesandspccg.nhs.uk/contact-us-form/freedom-of-information/foi-request-form
  TEL: 01827 306 148

• Telford and Wrekin CCG http://www.telfordccg.nhs.uk/foi-request-form
  TEL: 01952 580 300

• North Staffordshire CCG http://www.northstaffsccg.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information
  TEL: 0845 602 6772

• East Staffordshire CCG http://eaststaffsccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/freedom-of-information
  TEL: 01283 507 100

• Shropshire CCG http://www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/foi-request-form
  TEL: 01743 277 500

Worcestershire:

• Wyre Forest CCG http://www.wyreforestccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/  (county that you want it for Wyre Forrest)
  TEL: 01527 482 900

• Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG (county you want it for Redditch and Bromsgrove)
  TEL: 01527 488 746

• South Worcestershire CCG http://www.southworcsccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/   (county you want it for South Worcestershire)
  TEL: 01905 681 999

Cheshire:

• Halton CCG http://www.haltonccg.nhs.uk/public-information/statutory-information/freedom-of-information