Information Governance

The Trust processes patient, staff and corporate information in order to provide healthcare and to run the organisation.  Information Governance is the management of this information in line with the law and NHS regulations.  Use the links on the right to find out more. 

In order to demonstrate that the Trust processes information in line with legislation and national rules, the Trust will complete NHS Digital’s Data Security and Protection Toolkit.

Privacy Notices

Privacy notices have been written to explain how University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust processes information. These notices are displayed on the right hand side of this page in the Links section.

Covid-19 Privacy Notice

The NHS is facing unprecedented demand due to Covid-19. The Trust will need to work in different ways to usual during this pandemic. Therefore in addition to the processing described in our Patient Privacy notice, the Trust is processing data in new ways such as using videoconferencing to reduce face to face contact.  The Trust will continue to ensure that information is processed in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the EU General Data Protection Regulation

In addition, the Trust will share information relating to the Covid-19 outbreak as needed to help tackle the disease. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has directed NHS Digital to collect and analyse data from organisations involved in treating patients with Covid-19.  In respect of the Common Law duty of confidentiality the legal basis for the processing of this data is a notice issued by the Secretary of State under the Health Service Control of Patient Information Regulations (COPI) (2002). This notice will expire on 31st March 2021 unless further notice is sent.

Freedom of Information

We would like to thank members of the public that have avoided making Freedom of Information Act requests or suspended their requests during the Covid-19 pandemic.  This has enabled staff to prioritise urgent operational Public Health priorities. 

If you are considering making a request; we would ask you to only ask what is absolutely necessary and in particular avoid questions that require clinical and operational input.

If you have an existing request it may be delayed due to urgent operational responses to dealing with Public Health priorities.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, we do remain committed to responding to your request and will respond as soon as we are able.  Should our response to your request breach the statutory timeframe and following a request for an internal review you remain unhappy with our response you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioners Office and you can contact them using this web link https://ico.org.uk/concerns/  or by telephone on 03031231113.

The Trust publishes information about the organisation on this website.  Please follow the link on the right to find out more about our Publication Scheme, Policies and Information about Corporate Departments.

If you are unable to find the information you require then the Freedom of Information Act 2000 also gives any individual the right to request corporate information that University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust holds.  This does not include personal information.  For information on making a Freedom of Information Request please follow the link on the right. You can also find past Freedom of Information Disclosures.

Access to Medical Records

An individual or their representative can request copies of their health records.  Please follow the link https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/access-to-medical-records

Contact for Data Protection Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about how we manage your Information then please contact the Data Protection Officer for the Trust.

Data Protection Officer
Information Governance Team
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Information Governance Team
1^st Floor Bircham House
William Prance Road
Derriford
Plymouth
PL6 5WR

Tel:  01752 437284

Email: informationgovernancepht@nhs.net