What is the FOIA? Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government.

On 1 January the Freedom of Information Act 2000 introduced a new statutory right for people to request and obtain recorded information held by public authorities. Companies tendering for public sector contracts should consider whether the information they have provided will be disclosed under the Act.

While FOIA covers most agencies, there are some exceptions: Includes: Executive and military departments. Government corporations (i.e. Amtrak) or Government-controlled corporations.

Under the Act, most public authorities may take up to 20 working days to respond, counting the first working day after the request is received as the first day. For schools, the standard time limit is 20 school days, or 60 working days if this is shorter.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) came into force on 1 January 2005. It is a new law that means all recorded information held by public authorities is open to the public, unless an exemption applies. Anyone, regardless of age or location, can request information held by public authorities.

The Act covers all recorded information held by a public authority. It is not limited to official documents and it covers, for example, drafts, emails, notes, recordings of telephone conversations and CCTV recordings.

The ICO has published guidance on the dataset provisions in FOIA. This explains what is meant by “not appropriate” and “capable of re-use”. GPs do not have to publish in their publication schemes any information that would be exempt from disclosure in response to a FOIA request; eg patient records.

If you cannot make your request in writing because of a disability, contact the public authority. They should help you to make the request another way – for example over the phone. You can ask for environmental information in writing, in person or by phone.

It gives the public a right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, including the Health Service. The FoI Act specifically defines general practices as being within the scope of the Act, so practices must conform to the requirements of the Act.