In this section, we have information about how you can make a request:
- Our Duty Under the FOI Act
- Exemptions
- Making an FOI Request
- Using AI to Help Draft Information Requests?
- Questions About Mental Health Services
- Search Our Request Archive
- Supplier Requests for Information
- Charges
- Environmental Information Requests (EIRs)
- Unsolicited Weblinks
Our Duty Under the FOI Act
Whilst we hope that the publication scheme covers the majority of corporate information about the Trust you may need. However, as a member of the public the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act”) gives you the right to request any information that the Trust holds. This could be in digital, paper or other media format (such as audio or video).
Under the terms of the legislation, following a written request (or an email to
- Inform the requester whether the information exists
- Release the information within 20 working days
Exemptions
There are a number of exemptions under the FOI Act that may prevent the release of certain documents. For example,
- Section 38 – Information that may risk the health and safety of an individual
- Section 40 – Confidential information (see the ”Access to Records” section under "Your Information")
- Section 43 – Information that may prejudice the commercial interests of the organisation
Any staff details disclosed will be at senior level only and should not be used for the purpose of unsolicited communications or marketing purposes (in accordance with The Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations, PECR) as well as ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) guidance. Please note that any person/s or organisation found to be in breach of PECR may be subject to criminal prosecution, non-criminal enforcement and audit. The Information Commissioner can also serve a monetary penalty notice imposing a fine of up to £500,000 which can be issued against the organisation or its directors.
Full details of the Act and your rights can be found on our website or at: http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information.aspx
Making an FOI Request
If you would like to make a request, please write to:
Freedom of Information Co-ordinator
St. Peter’s Hospital
Information Services
Chertsey House
Guildford Road
Chertsey
KT16 0PZ
Email:
Whilst we cannot accept telephone requests, you can contact our FOI Co-ordinator if you have any queries about your request or would like help locating a document on our website or through the Freedom of Information Act.
Using AI to Help Draft Information Requests?
This advice comes from the Information Commissioner’s Office, the regulator for FOIA and EIR in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
AI tools can be helpful, but they can also introduce errors or create overly complex requests that increase the burden on public bodies and cost to the taxpayer.
When using AI to help draft an information request, please make sure the final wording has been checked and reflects your actual information needs.
Before you submit a request or secondary correspondence, please check that:
- You are only asking for the information you are genuinely looking for.
AI tools sometimes generate broad or excessive wording that goes beyond the information you actually want or need; - The request is clear, concise and focused.
Short, straightforward requests are easier for us to process and usually lead to quicker, more accurate responses; - There are no obvious factual inaccuracies.
AI can misrepresent legislation or misstate what organisations do. Please review the text of your request carefully and don’t assume AI is right. If it has referred to something you don’t understand, check what it is; and - The tone is appropriate.
AI-generated content can sometimes sound abrupt, or otherwise inappropriate. Please check the tone before sending. - Why does this matter?
We are seeing an increase in requests and secondary correspondence that appear to have been drafted by generative AI. These can require additional clarification because of inaccuracies or unnecessary complexity. This creates delays for both requesters and our teams.
Need guidance?
You can find advice on making effective information requests on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.
Questions About Mental Health Services
Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an acute Trust and does not have mental health services. May we refer you to Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who is our local provider of specialist mental health services:
Search Our Request Archive
You may be able to find an answer to your request in our archives on this website.
Use the search box above, go to our "FOI by Category" section, or view our register of requests received.
Supplier Requests for Information
If you are a supplier wishing to supply the Trust it may be quicker and more productive to contact the Procurement Department to discuss any potential opportunity, before submitting an FOI request. In the first instance, please call our main switchboard number (01932 872000) and ask for the Procurement team.
Charges
We do not charge for materials supplied in any request. However, if the completion of the request would exceed 18 staff hours or comprise an exceptionally large amount of photocopying, a charge may be required to be paid before materials are released. We shall make this clear to the requester on acknowledgement of the request. The majority of requests received since the inception of the Act have been resolved through email contact or via direction to the appropriate document on our website.
Environmental Information Requests (EIRs)
If you wish to make an Environmental Information Request to the Trust please contact:
Acting General Facilities Manager
Estates Department
St. Peter’s Hospital
Guildford Road
Chertsey
KT16 0PZ
More details about EIRs can be found at:
http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/environmental_information_regulation.aspx
Unsolicited Weblinks
We will not add unsolicited weblinks to this site.
