Job summary
As a member of the Patient Services Team, the post holder will co-ordinate and respond to incoming requests for information that fall within the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.Working with the FOI Coordinator, they will use their experience and knowledge to provide appropriate responses.The postholder will support the FOI Coordinator to ensure there are robust, up to date and fit for purpose policies and procedures to respond to FOI requests.
Main duties of the job
Administer all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:o Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.o Administer the Freedom of Information system.o Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.o Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.o Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to dateo To assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the Acto To work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.
About us
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care -Our NHS People PromiseOur NHS People Promise -the promise we must all make to each other, to work together to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone. Like many other employers, NHS GM currently has evidence of unwarranted inequalities in the workforce, most notably in relation to minoritised ethnic, female and\or disabled staff and their intersectionality. As a result, we will use positive action measures to bring benefits to our organisation, including a wider pool of talented, skilled and experienced people from which to recruit and a better understanding of the needs of a more diverse range of customers.
We are Compassionate
- We are inclusive, actively promote equality and diversity, and challenge discrimination.
- We are kind and treat people with compassion, courtesy, and respect.
We are Curious
- We aim for the highest standards and seek to continually improve, harnessing our ingenuity.
- We can be trusted to do what we promise.
- We will develop our cultural proficiencies, ensuring we deliver well to all our diverse communities.
We are Collaborative
- We collaborate, forming effective partnerships to achieve our common goals.
- We celebrate success and support our people to be the best they can be
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAdminister all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:
- Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.
- Administer the Freedom of Information system.
- Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.
- Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.
- Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to date
- To assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the Act
- To work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.
COMMUNICATION
- Receive and manage FOI request from patients and the public
- Liaise directly with patients and the public to discuss and respond to FOI request
- Work with staff at all levels across the organisation to provide information and draft responses to FOI requests
- Work with colleagues in the Patient Services team to provide accurate data on the management of FOI requests
INFORMATION RESOURCES, ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING
- Receive and act upon FOI requests to the FOI inboxNHS GM Integrated Care - Template JDPS January 2023 3
- Draft accurate responses to FOI requests in line with legislation
- Provide information and advice on the application of exemptions under the FOI Act
- Manage a caseload of FOI requests
- Log case details onto the FOI database
- Contribute to the FOI log
- Contribute to the Publication Scheme
- Ensure all information is managed in accordance with Information Governance policies.
PLANNING & ORGANISATION
- Ensure FOIs being worked on are responded to within statutory timescales
- Manage own time and work effectively to ensure service delivery within statutory timescales
PATIENT/CLIENT CARE
- Liaise directly with patients and the public when they make an FOI request
- Provide specialist advice on rights under the FOI Act
- Ensure access for patients and the public to enable them to make FOI requests
- Provide accessible information on rights under the FOI Act and how to make an FOI request
POLICY & SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
- Contribute to the development of the FOI policy, process and procedures
- Contribute to the FOI log
- Contribute to the Publication Scheme
- Contribute to Patient Services monitoring and assurance reports identifying key themes from FOI requests and areas of service improvement
FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES
- Receive and act upon FOI requests into the FOI inbox.
- Record FOI casework on the FOI database
- Record FOI activity on the FOI log
- Contribute to the Publication Scheme
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & AUDIT
- Carry out web-based and publications research to maintain knowledge of FOI and contribute to future service development.
- Be aware of national guidance within health and social care, highlighting implications for FOI
- Support the Implementation of independent regulators decisions.
- Conduct and participate in internal and external audits when required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAdminister all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:
- Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.
- Administer the Freedom of Information system.
- Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.
- Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.
- Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to date
- To assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the Act
- To work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.
COMMUNICATION
- Receive and manage FOI request from patients and the public
- Liaise directly with patients and the public to discuss and respond to FOI request
- Work with staff at all levels across the organisation to provide information and draft responses to FOI requests
- Work with colleagues in the Patient Services team to provide accurate data on the management of FOI requests
INFORMATION RESOURCES, ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING
- Receive and act upon FOI requests to the FOI inboxNHS GM Integrated Care - Template JDPS January 2023 3
- Draft accurate responses to FOI requests in line with legislation
- Provide information and advice on the application of exemptions under the FOI Act
- Manage a caseload of FOI requests
- Log case details onto the FOI database
- Contribute to the FOI log
- Contribute to the Publication Scheme
- Ensure all information is managed in accordance with Information Governance policies.
PLANNING & ORGANISATION
- Ensure FOIs being worked on are responded to within statutory timescales
- Manage own time and work effectively to ensure service delivery within statutory timescales
PATIENT/CLIENT CARE
- Liaise directly with patients and the public when they make an FOI request
- Provide specialist advice on rights under the FOI Act
- Ensure access for patients and the public to enable them to make FOI requests
- Provide accessible information on rights under the FOI Act and how to make an FOI request
POLICY & SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
- Contribute to the development of the FOI policy, process and procedures
- Contribute to the FOI log
- Contribute to the Publication Scheme
- Contribute to Patient Services monitoring and assurance reports identifying key themes from FOI requests and areas of service improvement
FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES
- Receive and act upon FOI requests into the FOI inbox.
- Record FOI casework on the FOI database
- Record FOI activity on the FOI log
- Contribute to the Publication Scheme
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & AUDIT
- Carry out web-based and publications research to maintain knowledge of FOI and contribute to future service development.
- Be aware of national guidance within health and social care, highlighting implications for FOI
- Support the Implementation of independent regulators decisions.
- Conduct and participate in internal and external audits when required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Level Qualification in a relevant health or social care subject
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing FOIs
- Experience of providing customer service
- Experience of working with a wide range of service users, e.g. people with learning difficulties
- Experience of Health Services or a related environment
- Experience of working with the public/voluntary sector
- Use of Microsoft office and database solutions
- Experience of presenting data in a meaningful way orally and in writing to a variety of audiences
- Experience of using Datix or similar databases
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and GDPR
- Knowledge of patients' rights
- Knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues
- Knowledge of organisation aims, objectives and wider healthcare economy
Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to manage, understand and interpret complex regulations/data and translate them
- Ability to remain focused, objective, in demanding and emotionally charged circumstances whilst working innovatively, dynamically, strategically, flexibly and under pressure
- Ability to work methodically and systematically with a pragmatic approach and good attention to detail
- Ability to impart unwelcome or sensitive information
- Ability to evaluate complex information, identifying key issues, problem solving, making sound judgments and decisions and implementing/recommending solutions
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Level Qualification in a relevant health or social care subject
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing FOIs
- Experience of providing customer service
- Experience of working with a wide range of service users, e.g. people with learning difficulties
- Experience of Health Services or a related environment
- Experience of working with the public/voluntary sector
- Use of Microsoft office and database solutions
- Experience of presenting data in a meaningful way orally and in writing to a variety of audiences
- Experience of using Datix or similar databases
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and GDPR
- Knowledge of patients' rights
- Knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues
- Knowledge of organisation aims, objectives and wider healthcare economy
Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to manage, understand and interpret complex regulations/data and translate them
- Ability to remain focused, objective, in demanding and emotionally charged circumstances whilst working innovatively, dynamically, strategically, flexibly and under pressure
- Ability to work methodically and systematically with a pragmatic approach and good attention to detail
- Ability to impart unwelcome or sensitive information
- Ability to evaluate complex information, identifying key issues, problem solving, making sound judgments and decisions and implementing/recommending solutions
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.