The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is a law in the UK. It gives people the right to ask for information from public organisations like the NHS. 

This means people can ask for a copy of documents, emails or records. This is unless the information is private and confidential for a good reason. 

If you want to know something, you must send a written request. This can be an email or a letter. You can find out how to send this request further down this page. 

The Freedom of Information Act helps people make sure decisions are fair and honest. It’s about making the government and public bodies more open and trustworthy.  

Click the sections below to find out more.

Anyone can ask for information. 

It is worth thinking about whether you really need this information. If you can delay your request, it means our staff can focus on other things like providing care.

Some of the information you are asking for might already be published here. If it isn’t you can send us a letter or email us. You should include: 

  • Your full name
  • Your telephone number or email address
  • A clear description of the information you want
  • How you want to receive the information (for example email or post)

There are 3 ways to send your request. 

  1. By post. Send it to: Freedom of Information Office, Harton Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, NE34 0PL
  2. By email. Send it to Stsft@infreemation.co.uk. Try to include a summary of the information you want in the subject line of the email. 
  3. By filling in an online form. Complete the FOI requests online form. Try to include a summary of the information you want in the subject text box.

If you live in Sunderland, you can:

If you live in South Tyneside or Gateshead, you can:

  • Email stsft.stdhaccesstomedicalrecords@nhs.net
  • Send a letter to: Access to Records Team, Medical Records Department, Ingham Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, NE34 0PL

If you have submitted a Freedom of Information request, we must reply within 20 days. We might: 

  • Give you the information 
  • Say we don’t have it 
  • Say we can’t give you it because it’s private or protected

If you have asked for a copy of your personal information or medical records, will should get this to you in 30 days. If we have a lot of information about you this might take longer. We will let you know if this is the case.  

Sometimes it takes us longer to answer your request because we are working on urgent public health matters. We are sorry for any trouble this may cause. 

If you’re not happy with this, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office. This is a service that isn’t managed by the Trust. There are 3 ways to contact them: 

  • By post. Send it to: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
  • By telephone. Call 0303 123 1113
  • On their website.

You don’t need to pay. It is free. 

If you are not happy with how we have handled your request, you can ask for a review. You can do this by: 

  1. Post. Send a letter to: Freedom of Information Office, Harton Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, NE34 0PL
  2. Email. Send it to Stsft@infreemation.co.uk

If you are still not happy after the review, you can appeal it.  It is free to make an appeal.

You can do this by: 

  • Post. Write to: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
  • Telephone. Call 0303 123 1113
  • Online. Visit ICO Website