The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 makes it easier for you to get information about us. This law, which came into force on 1 January 2005, means that anyone, anywhere can ask for any information we hold.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Belfast Trust is legally committed to providing timely and accessible information to the public and responding to reasonable requests for information. There are no time limits on how far back you can gain access to information, as long as we hold it on record.
Before submitting your request please check out our FOI Responses Disclosure Log, as the information may already be available. You can read responses to the Freedom of Information requests we have received in our disclosure log.
Personal information request
The FOI Act does not provide access to information of a personal nature. Requests for personal information will be dealt with under the Data Protection Act.
Do not use the form below to request personal information.
Find out how to submit a request for personal information.
Making an FOI request
All you have to do is submit your request in writing, by letter or email, to any member of staff, stating clearly what information you want.
Alternatively, you can make a request directly to the Public Liaison Team who are responsible for dealing with any FOI enquiries that the Trust receives.
Contact details
Public Liaison
Belfast HSC Trust
1st Floor, Nore Villa
Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Belfast
BT8 8BH
Email: publicliaison@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Don’t forget to provide your contact details so we can reply to your request.
Alternatively you can complete the following form which will be submitted to our FOI office and we will confirm receipt. Don’t forget to provide your contact details so we can reply to your request.
FOI Form
Please select a category from the dropdown
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Responding to requests
The Trust aims to respond in writing in 20 working days. If there is likely to be a delay in getting your information, we will let you know.
We will disclose information wherever possible. However, in a few circumstances, it will be necessary to withhold some or all of the information requested under one of the exemptions outlined in the Act. In any case where information is refused, the Trust will specify which exemption has been used and why. All requests for information will be carefully considered on their own merits and with close regard to the public interest.
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Advice and assistance
If you would like any advice or assistance about making a request for information, please contact the Public Liaison Team at the address above.
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Charges and fees for information
In most instances, we do not charge for the information we supply.
Where the cost of the Trust responding to your request for information is calculated as being less than £450 (this covers the time taken to look for, find and put the information into a format that has been requested) no fee will be charged. Complying with requests for information that would exceed the £450 limit will be at the discretion of the Trust and may incur a fee.
If the cost of postage and photocopying is more than £25, the sum will be charged in full.
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Requests for personal information
Maintaining the right of confidentiality is important for all NHS organisations. If you want to ask us for information that we may hold about you personally, this will be dealt with under GDPR and other data protection legislation. This would include information relating to health records, employment and training records – anything that is limited to you as a person, whether for example as a patient, client, employee or partner of any kind.