Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities, including GP Surgeries. It does this in two ways: public authorities are obliged to publish certain information about their activities; and members of the public are entitled to request information from public authorities. The Act covers any recorded information that is held by a public authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and by UK-wide public authorities based in Scotland.

The Act does not give people access to their own personal data (information about themselves) such as their health records. If a member of the public wants to see information that a public authority holds about them, they should make a request under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Certain bodies are only covered for some of the information they hold; GPs, dentists and other health practitioners only have to provide information about their NHS work.

Anyone can make a freedom of information request – they do not have to be UK citizens, or resident in the UK. A Freedom of Information request for information held by Engleton House Surgery should be directed to the Practice Manager.