Secret government revisited
BMJ 1999; 318 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.318.7200.1712 (Published 26 June 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:1712All rapid responses
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The phrase 'Freedom of Information' can give a false sense of
security to the public.Many will understand that full and frank disclosure
of all matters to the public would neither be realistic nor
safe.However,save in circumstances like national security matters,there
are strong reasons to promote greater openness of the government.Mckee(1)
rightly argues for such greater openness and transparency when it comes to
health and safety issues of the public.
The Freedom of Information Bill will have many constitutional hurdles
to cross before it becomes a fully enacted Act of Parliament.So are there
any other routes which one can legally utilise now,if there is a need to
challenge the government on an issue which requires greater openness in
the spirit of Freedom of Information?.One useful arm would be the Human
Rights Act 1998 which will come into force in 2000 or thereabouts;of
course,that enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights into
english law.Human Rights Act 1998 encompasses more than one fundamental
issue which is also likely to come under the blessing of a future Freedom
of Information Act.Further,there are bound to be other public law
arguments,if forceful extraction of information from the government is
needed.
Without waiting for formal legislation,it would be wiser to introduce
a code of practice as to freedom of information or greater access to
information.Doctors can take a lead in this respect.Perhaps,journals like
the BMJ could do more, by actively encouraging greater openness and
transparency within our healthcare system.Stifling debate would achieve
nothing.
REFERNCES
(1)McKee M.Secret government revisited.BMJ 1999;318:1712-3.
Competing interests: No competing interests
Freedom of Information Act 2005 now in force.
The Freedom of Information Act 2005 has arrived... Only 58% of
services are ready to comply it seems (re E-Health Insider see website)
There is much information about regulations online - FOI links
include:- NHS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION PROJECT BOARD/BRITISH MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR GENERAL PRACTICES -although most
posting re the NHS are dated 2003 and look ahead to the 2005 Act.
Members of the public and others can see which GP practices
registered with the FOI Commissioner in 2003. It was made very simpe,most
give standard information using the Model Form. For information on Rights
to Know from Hospital Trusts, Addenbrookes is helpful and provides good
information as usual.
It is yet to be tested. People have obviously had the right to access
personal information and straightforward information about services for
several years - but one enquiry to ask what voluntary services are used by
a GP practice has met with an 'I do not know' from the manager.A request
for advice as to who would know was also stalled. A search on line has
brought up several agencies which he must have been aware of. It will be
interesting to see how things develop re comliance with the Act.
Reference: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT leaflett produced 2004
.....informationcommissioner.gov.uk
'The FOI ACT entitles anybody to ask any public authority........for any
recorded information they keep'
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests