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Guide To Information
SOUTHERN HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL Access to Information We are a transparent and open organisation and we publish a great deal of information about what we do on this website which you can access by using the search facility clearly marked on our home page. However there may be other issues about which you would like further information and in this part of our website we explain how you can get such information. Please note the 4 Health and Social Services Councils are expected to be replaced by a new organisation called the Patient Client Council on 1st April 2009 therefore this Publication Scheme will only be valid until 31st March 2009. Freedom of Information Act 2000 Publication Scheme In order to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 public sector organisations such as ours have to routinely publish information whenever possible. The Information Commissioner, who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, has drawn up what is called a Model Publication Scheme for all public sector organisations which we have agreed to adopt and formally commit to. Click here for the Model Publication Scheme Most of the information we make routinely available can be accessed through our website by using the Publication Scheme (click here) or the search facility on our website. Accessing information which is not included in our Publication Scheme As an open and transparent organisation we are committed to routinely publishing as much information as possible; however if you want information which is not available through our website or otherwise available through our Publication Scheme you may ask us for it in accordance with further provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and of the Environmental Information Regulations 2005. Requests for such information should be sent to the Chief Officer of the Council at: Southern Health
and Social Services Council
If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of any review you may complain to the Information Commissioner whose address is: 51 Adelaide Street Belfast BT2 8FE Fees and Charges The Freedom of Information Act and the associated Fees Regulations stipulate that we cannot levy a fee for information unless there is a statutory basis for doing so or the amount of time taken to locate the information exceeds 18 hours. However we are allowed to charge for disbursements related to the provision of information and any reformatting requested by the applicant provided we ensure that applicants are aware of any charges which may be made. Some information is available free, but for others there may be a charge. The charge will vary according to how information is made available. We will let you know the cost and charges that will have to be paid in advance. For any information which is provided in hard copy and where there is no statutory provision for charges our rates for photocopying, reformatting and postage will be as follows:
If you want any further information about the provision of information or have any difficulty accessing information provided on our website you may contact us either by:
Southern Health
and Social Services Council, Quaker Buildings, High Street, Lurgan,
Co. Armagh, BT66 8BB |
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