Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a right of access to a wide range of information held by public authorities, including the NHS.
As an Integrated Care Board (ICB) we have a duty to be transparent and open, in line with information legislation we maintain our website in accordance with the Information Commissioner Office publication scheme guidance.
Before you make a request
Check whether the information you seek is already available.
If you request information from NHS Lincolnshire ICB that is already published, we will refer you to the published source.
If you cannot find the information you want, you are entitled to make a request for information. Depending on the type of information you are requesting different processes and legislation applies.
Who can request information?
Anybody can make a FOI request to NHS Lincolnshire ICB.
What can I request?
You can seek any recorded information that you think Lincolnshire ICB may hold.
If the information is environmental, we will respond according to the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004. You do not have to know whether the information you want is covered by the EIR or the FOI Act. When you make a request, we will decide which law applies.
If the information relates to personal data, a Subject Access Request should be made under the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018, and not under the FOI Act, further information can be found here.
Making a request
Your request must be in writing and can be either posted or emailed.
Email to: nnicb-nn.dln.fois@nhs.net
Letter to:
FOI Team
NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
HQ Bridge House
The Point Lions Way
Sleaford NG34 8GG
What happens when my request is received?
Your request will be acknowledged, and we will source the information you have requested from the relevant team. Within 20 working days we will contact you to;
- Request clarification that will help us to answer your request;
- Provide a response to your FoI request;
- Inform you we don’t hold the information and, if we can, advise you who does;
- Inform you that your request will exceed the cost limit specified in the ICO Fees Regulations and invite to submit a further, narrower request;
- Advise that we hold the information but are not releasing it, citing the relevant exemption from the FoI Act 2000;
- Advise that we are refusing your request on the basis that it repeated or vexatious;
- Tell you that we need more time to coordinate a response or to consider the public interest test in relation to your request. We will then specify a new deadline date, this should not be later than 40 days after receipt of your request.
What happens if I am unhappy with the response I receive or the way that my request was handled?
You can email the FoI Team and ask for clarification in relation to the response that you have received.
If you are unhappy with the way in which your request has been handled you can request an internal view by contacting Lucy Branson, Director of Corporate Governance and Assurance: Lucy.Branson@nhs.net
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you can apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office, who will consider whether the organisation has complied with its obligations under the Act, and can require the organisation to remedy any problems.
You can find out more about how to do this, and about the Act in general, on the Information Commissioner’s Office website at: https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/official-information/
Complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office should be sent to:
FOI/EIR Complaints Resolution
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF