Text Only Version of WHSSC Website
With effect from 1st April 2009 the responsibilities of the Western Health and Social Services Council have transferred to the new Patient Client Council. This website will continue to be available for a short period as part of the transitional arrangements but please refer to the new organisation web site for up to date information www.patientclientcouncil.hscni.net During this time the existing contact details will remain.
- Guide To Information
Link
to index page with full graphics
Links to
Your Council Section
Text Only Home Page
Your Council
Contacting Us
Council Members
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Council Meetings
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Work Programme
Complaint about the WHSSC
Confidentiality
Terms Of Use
Links
to Help And Advice Section
Help and Advice Leaflets
A Guide to Health and Social Services Councils
Making a complaint
Who to complain to
How to complain
Links
Links to Publications Section
Guide To Information
Publication Scheme
Published Reports
Annual Reports
Press Releases
Responses
Guide To Information
WESTERN 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:
Western Health & Social Services Council
Hilltop
Tyrone & Fermanagh Hospital
Omagh
BT79 0NS
By law we have to deal with such requests within 20 working days. If you make a request and are not satisfied with the way in which we deal with it you may ask us to review any decision we make. If you wish us to undertake such a review you should write to the Chief Officer.
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:
| - | Via the Council’s Website – Free of charge, although any charges for Internet Service provider and personal printing costs would have to be met by the individual. |
| - | A single printout is available free of charge by personal application to the office. |
| - | Requests for multiple printouts may attract a charge for the retrieval, photocopying, postage etc. (10p per side of A4). |
| - | Leaflets, archived documents and booklets - single copies are free of charge. |
| - | In some cases tape or other mediums, may be charged for. |
| - | E-mail-will be free of charge. |
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:
| Free-phone: | 0800 917 0222 |
| Office number: | 028 8225 2555 |
| E-mail: | |
| Minicom: | 028 8224 8389 |
Western Health and Social Services Council
‘Hilltop’
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital
Omagh
Co Tyrone
BT79 0NS
Freephone: 0800 917 0222
Tel: 028 8225 2555
Fax: 028 8225 2544
Minicom: 028 8224 8389
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