The aim of a publications scheme is to foster openness in government and increase transparency of what we do, what we spend, our priorities, decisions and policies. A secondary aim is to improve public access to the information we hold, making it easier for you to find and obtain the information you require without having to make a written request.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) imposes a duty on every public body to produce and regularly maintain a publication scheme. Publication schemes are structured collections of information released routinely, organised into classes of information which make it easier for you to find the information you require. The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) gives a similar right of access to environmental information.
The Information Commissioner has produced a series of approved model publication schemes for various types of public body. Each model publication scheme specifies the classes of information to be included and how that information is made available, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. We have adopted the health sector model publication scheme. Our publication scheme contains seven classes of information. It is possible that some classes will hold very few documents either because we do not hold any information for that class, or the information is exempted from disclosure, the information has been archived or is inaccessible or it is impractical to prepare the information for routine release.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 in general can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website.
Details of the health sector model publication scheme we have adopted can be found here.
As a newly formed organisation, NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently expanding its publication scheme and adding new documents to the classes of information all the time. We aim to actively publish as much information as we can, where this information has a public interest and is not exempt from disclosure. We will monitor our publication scheme regularly to ensure it is meeting our obligations and our aims. We therefore encourage you to use our publication scheme and website and we hope you will find the information you require.
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 this publication scheme can be sent to you free of charge. In some cases a fee may be levied, such as if you require multiple copies of a document or you have requested the information in a certain format. Please see FAQs for more information on when we may charge you a fee.
In exceptional cases certain information will be made available for viewing only. In such cases an appointment can be made. 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 NHS Leeds CCG 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.
Is the information already available?
NHS Leeds CCG is committed to meeting its statutory requirements under the FOI Act and EIR and aims to make as much information as possible freely available on demand. One of the ways in which this is done is through our publication scheme.
We strongly encourage you to check our publication scheme first before you make a written request for information as you may be able to find it here. Also please bear in mind that we can refuse a written FOI Act request if the information is readily available via our publication scheme.
Feedback and comments on our publication scheme
If you would like to provide any feedback or comments on our publication scheme please contact the Freedom of Information lead using this email address [email protected] or by post to the Information Governance Team, NHS Leeds CCG, Wira House, Suites 2-4, West Park Ring Road, Leeds, LS16 6EB.