Freedom of Information

Our Trust

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a right of access to a wide range of information held by public authorities, including the NHS.  The purpose is to promote greater openness and accountability, and is enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office.

It seeks to balance three rights:

  • The right to information
  • The right to confidentiality
  • The right to effective public administration

The Act gives members of the public the right to be told whether requested information exists and the right to receive that information. It sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. It is fully retrospective so it includes information we already possess.

Maintaining the legal right to patient confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part. To help with this, we have appointed a Caldicott Guardian who has the responsibility of ensuring the protection of patient confidentiality throughout the Trust in accordance with your legal rights. Our Caldicott Guardian is:

Miss Jane McNicholas - Chief Medical Officer
Trust Headquarters
Westmorland General Hospital
Burton Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RG

Our Publication Scheme

NHS organisations are required to produce a 'Publication Scheme'. This is a complete guide to the information routinely published by Trust. We will review the Scheme at regular intervals and monitor how it is operating.

How To Make A Freedom Of Information Request

Requests for information must:

  1. be in writing (including email)
  2. provide a name and address for correspondence
  3. be described clearly

All Freedom of Information Requests should be directed to either;

Freedom of Information team
Westmorland General Hospital
Burton Road
Kendal
LA9 7RG

or by email to; Freedom.Information@mbht.nhs.uk

Download the Freedom of Information Request Template

Once we have received a request, we then have up to 20 working days to respond. If you are unhappy with the way the Trust has dealt with any request, you have the right to apply for an Internal Review through our postal or email addresses.