Section 8 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 requires the Rotunda Hospital to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability. The scheme commits us to making information available as part of our normal business activities.
Introduction to Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
Please find the Rotunda Hospital’s FOI Publication Scheme below. Each page contains relevant information in the category as well as links to relevant information on the Rotunda website.
If the information you require cannot be found here, you may wish to conduct a search on the Rotunda website. If the information is not currently made publicly available by the Rotunda, you may consider making a Freedom of Information Request.
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act allows for members of the public to make applications for their own personal records, the records of others and the corporate documents of the organisation.
It also allows for records to be amended and for you to have reasons for decisions explained to you.
Freedom of Information Requests
Applying for personal records and records of the deceased:
If you want to get a copy of your own records you can send your request in writing or complete an FOI request form.
Your request must contain the following:
- The name of the person whose records you are seeking
- Their date of birth
- Their address at the time of attendance
- Details of the information you are looking for
- Your contact address and telephone contact details
- A photocopy of photo ID – either your passport or your driving licence
- Additional state issued documentation must be provided for some applications as proof of relationship and you will be advised of this as we start to process your request
Accessing records of the deceased:
The Rotunda Hospital believes that all patient information has been provided to us confidentially and you may not be given access to another person’s records. Applications for the personal information of someone who is deceased are only processed under the Freedom of Information Act. Each request is considered based on the information provided.
The death certificate of the deceased must accompany the request along with proof of your relationship.
You can send your request to us by post to:
Freedom of Information Section,
Quality and Patient Safety Department,
The Rotunda Hospital,
Parnell Square,
Dublin 1.
By e-mail to: [email protected]
Fees:
Fees may apply for some personal records, for example copies of x-rays. Once we commence working on your request we will be in contact with you regarding any fees that may apply.
Making a payment:
- Do not send cash in the post
- Cheques and postal orders can be made payable to “The Rotunda Hospital”
- Cash payments accompanied with your letter outlining fees will be accepted at the Patient Accounts Department in the Hospital
How long will the request take?
Your request should be processed within 28 calendar days. However, there are some circumstances where it may take longer. We will advise you of this and of your rights of appeal under the legislation.
Governance
The Royal Charter of 1756 outlines the constitution and the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Governors of the hospital.
Board of Governors
As Guardians for the Rotunda Hospital the Board has a responsibility for promoting a collective vision for the hospital purpose, its vision, culture, values and behaviours it wishes to promote in conducting business.
The Board also has responsibility to provide leadership within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed. In particular it:
- Gives direction to the executive management
- Demonstrates ethical leadership
- Promotes behaviours consistent with the culture and values of the hospital
- Makes well informed and high quality decisions based on clear information from management
- Monitors the activity and effectiveness of management
Board Sub-Committees
The Board manages its commitments through Board Committees, Sub-Committees and Working Groups.
Each of these structures is supported by terms of reference agreed by the Board with the meeting frequency and times agreed by the appointed Committee/Group.
Prof Tom Matthews, Chairman of the Board of Governors.
Quality, Safety & Risk Committee
The Quality, Safety and Risk Committee (QSR) is established as a Committee of the General Board under the Charter of the Rotunda Hospital. The Committee has responsibility to receive and consider reports relating to quality, safety and non-financial risk issues of the hospital and to report and to make recommendations to the General Board on these. The Committee shall also ensure that the Management Executive are taking all steps necessary to support the care of patients who attend the hospital, protect the rights of staff who are employed by the hospital and ensure the hospital fulfils all its statutory obligations under the Health Act 2004 and other legal requirements for quality and safe care provision.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee has overall responsibility for monitoring corporate and non-clinical governance structures of the Rotunda Hospital and advising the Board on areas of governance and ethical failings and exposure to non-compliance with governance standards and ethics. The Committee’s mandate is to maintain a sound system of internal control and to monitor the governance systems in place to ensure the Rotunda Hospital is adhering to all legal and best practice requirements for all aspects of its business.
The Committee is chaired by Dr David Abrahamson.
Finance & Audit Committee
The Finance and Audit Committee has overall responsibility for monitoring corporate financial governance structures of the Rotunda Hospital and advising the Board on areas of failings and exposure to non-compliance with financial standards and financial risks. This includes managing the relationship with both external and internal auditors to ensure compliance with regulation and standards for all financial reporting.
The Committee is chaired by Mr Stuart Switzer.
Estates and Campus Development Committee
The Estates and Campus Development Committee (ECDC) is established as a Committee of the General Board under the Charter of the Rotunda Hospital. It has responsibility to assess, advise and make recommendations on estates policy, major strategic developments of the campus, its infrastructure and buildings which are required to support the care of patients and visitors who attend the hospital and to provide a safe environment for all staff. This Committee will also have oversight in reviewing the EMT’s performance in meeting its obligations to provide a safe infrastructure and environment and to advise on mitigating any risks related to the infrastructure.
The Committee is chaired by Mr Greg Power.