Classes of Information

The information available has been grouped into seven classes and an explanation of the types of information held in those classes can be found below.

Class 1 - Who we are and what we do

Organisational information, Board of Governors and Key Personnel details. About the Foundation Trust status, its constitutional and legal governance processes.

Information in this class includes:

• Foundation Trust overview 
• How we fit into the NHS structure
• Board of Directors and senior staff
• Organisation Structure
• Senior Information Risk Officer (SIRO)
• Caldicott Guardian
• Hospital contact details and locations
• Volunteer workforce 

Class 2 - What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure including allowances, pay and grading structures; tendering, procurement and contracts.

Information in this class includes:

• Annual accounts
• Budget and variance reports
• Contracts / Tenders Register
• Procurement and tendering procedures
• Radiology Publication Scheme
• Staff and Board members’ allowance and expenses (see Annual Report)
• Staff pay and grading structures
• Standing financial instructions; capital programme
• Medicine usage and Patients treated reports

Class 3 - What our priorities are and how we are doing

Strategy and performance information; plans; assessments; inspections and reviews.

Information in this class includes:

• CQC Rating (Widget on home page of website)
• Quality Account  
• Annual report
• Audit reports
• Clinical governance
• Performance framework and reports
• FFT / Service User Surveys
• Strategic plans
• Targets, aims and objectives
• 'Open' consultations 

Class 4 - How we make decisions

Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes including Trust Board meetings, agendas and reports; internal criteria and procedures, consultations.

Information in this class includes:

• Board papers
• Patient and public involvement (PPI) strategy
• Public consultations
• Committee structure

Class 5 - Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.

Information in this class includes:

• Accessibility criteria / policy (Monitor requirement)
• Equality and Diversity 
• Estates management
• Information governance (IG toolkit score)
• Policies and procedures relating to DPA, complaints and customer service; conduct of Trust business and provision of services; human resources including equal opportunities; recruitment and employment; standing financial instructions; standing orders

Class 6 - Lists and Registers

Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.

Information in this class includes:

• Asset registers
• Register of interests
• Contractors / Suppliers
• Disclosure Log
• Gifts and hospitality

Class 7 - The services we offer

Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

Information in this class includes:

• A - Z hospital services 
• Leaflets A - Z / Patient information leaflets 
• Clinical services provided
• Corporate communications and media releases
• Customer Services Team
• Non-clinical services
• Patient information leaflets

The seven classes of information will not generally include:

• Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure
• Information in draft form
• Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons

In preparing this scheme the Trust has taken account of the sort of information it is normally asked for and what people are interested in.

Regard has also been taken of the overall public interest of disclosure of information in the interests of open and accountable governance arrangements.

Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme