Job summary
The Information Governance Unit are looking for a dynamic, hard-working, individual. The post holder will manage the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Access to Health Records (A2HR) Team ensuring that all requests for information received under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act are processed and forwarded for approval and that all requests for information made pursuant to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Access to Health Records Act (AHRA) 1990. Candidates must have excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills. A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is a must.
Main duties of the job
- Lead and manage the FOI and Access to Health Records (A2HR) Team, ensuring statutory compliance with FOI Act, DPA, AHRA, and UK GDPR.
- Oversee processing of FOI and A2HR requests, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
- Provide specialist advice and support across the Trust on FOI, data protection, and access to records.
- Line manage team members, including recruitment, appraisals, training, and performance management.
- Maintain and develop request tracking systems (e.g. Infreemation) and produce compliance reports.
- Respond to complaints and appeals, liaising with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Support implementation of legislative changes and contribute to relevant Trust committees.
- Promote continuous improvement and staff development within the team.
About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Ensure that requests for information are managed in accordance with statutory obligations, national and local standards and support the Trusts business, clinical and operational needs, ensuring a problem-solving approach is always employed.
- Support the Associate Director of Information Governance in providing an advisory function to the Trust for internal / external queries in relation to DPA, AHRA and FOI.
- Support the Corporate Affairs team in ensuring that the Trusts publication scheme for Freedom of Information requests is up to date and in line with requirements.
- Manage the FOI and A2HR team; provide effective line management for staff, organise their workloads ensuring targets are met, take responsibility for staff performance including all aspects of leave and absence management, recruitment and selection, and ensure resources stay within budgets.
- Manage the education, training and development of all staff in the FOI and A2HR team and undertake personal development reviews / appraisals identifying training needs and keep an accurate record of all staff reviews.
- Manage and contribute to projects that involve FOI and/or A2HR ensuring that project documentation is created and maintained to the required standard.
- Manage and respond to FOI and/or A2HR complaints from patients by working cohesively with other departments across the Trust ensuring the Trusts duty of candour is upheld. Communicate effectively with patients in writing and over the phone.
- Actively work with managers and other stakeholders internally and externally to ensure that the Trusts FOI and A2HR processes meet the objectives of the organisation.
- Effectively network with all staff in the Trust to provide accurate and thorough advice regarding FOI and Access to Health Records requests.
- Keep abreast of all best practice guidance, codes of conduct and legislation relevant to FOI and Access to Health records issues.
For further details of the role please see the attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Ensure that requests for information are managed in accordance with statutory obligations, national and local standards and support the Trusts business, clinical and operational needs, ensuring a problem-solving approach is always employed.
- Support the Associate Director of Information Governance in providing an advisory function to the Trust for internal / external queries in relation to DPA, AHRA and FOI.
- Support the Corporate Affairs team in ensuring that the Trusts publication scheme for Freedom of Information requests is up to date and in line with requirements.
- Manage the FOI and A2HR team; provide effective line management for staff, organise their workloads ensuring targets are met, take responsibility for staff performance including all aspects of leave and absence management, recruitment and selection, and ensure resources stay within budgets.
- Manage the education, training and development of all staff in the FOI and A2HR team and undertake personal development reviews / appraisals identifying training needs and keep an accurate record of all staff reviews.
- Manage and contribute to projects that involve FOI and/or A2HR ensuring that project documentation is created and maintained to the required standard.
- Manage and respond to FOI and/or A2HR complaints from patients by working cohesively with other departments across the Trust ensuring the Trusts duty of candour is upheld. Communicate effectively with patients in writing and over the phone.
- Actively work with managers and other stakeholders internally and externally to ensure that the Trusts FOI and A2HR processes meet the objectives of the organisation.
- Effectively network with all staff in the Trust to provide accurate and thorough advice regarding FOI and Access to Health Records requests.
- Keep abreast of all best practice guidance, codes of conduct and legislation relevant to FOI and Access to Health records issues.
For further details of the role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Address
University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
Clifford Bridge Road
Coventry
CV2 2DX
Employer's website
https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)
