NHS Direct

• What is NHS Direct?
• Using this website
• Android and iPhone app
• Summer health
• Safeguarding children statement
• Social media
• Calling NHS Direct
• Corporate information
• Freedom of Information
  • Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
  • Guidance for Freedom of Information enquirers
  • Transparency of spend
• Partnerships
• Terms and conditions
• Ordering promotional items
• Procurements and contracts
• Jobs with NHS Direct  

Guidance for Freedom of Information enquirers

• Please note: NHS Direct do not hold any information about the wider NHS and its services. Therefore, we are unable to respond to Freedom of Information requests unless they specifically relate to NHS Direct.
• If you are looking for information specific to local NHS services, you should contact your local Primary Care Trust. They may be able to direct you to the appropriate Freedom of Information section.
• Contact the Department of Health for general enquiries about Freedom of Information within the NHS.

Your request may be delayed or even rejected if it does not meet the following guidelines.

Freedom of Information requests must be in writing

Please submit your request as a letter, email or fax. We cannot accept verbal Freedom of Information requests.

Requests must include a contact name and a return address

This does not have to be a physical address. We can also reply to you via an email address.

Make your request as specific as possible

The clearer your request is, the easier it will be for us to supply the information you require.

Mark your request as ‘Freedom of Information’

Although you do not have to specify that you are making a Freedom of Information request, doing so will help us identify it more quickly.

Some requests carry a charge

Please be aware that if you request substantial amounts of information, or information that requires time and resources to provide, your request may be refused or you may be required to pay. See our charging for information regimes for more information.

Do not request personal information

You cannot request your own personal information under the Freedom of Information Act.

If you wish to access your own medical records, this must be done under the Data Protection Act. See our national procedure for access to medical records for more information.

Send requests for research purposes elsewhere

If your request is for a formal research proposal, please address it to our research governance department and send it through contact us.