Freedom of Information
Due to the impact of COVID-19/coronavirus you may experience a delay from our FOI service in responding to your correspondence. Your patience is appreciated at this time.
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 is designed to allow individuals access to information held by St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) which is not routinely available from other sources, i.e. Medical Records.
If you wish to obtain a copy of your personal Healthcare Record, please apply directly under Release of Information through the Medical Records Department. Only information which cannot be released under Release of Information will be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
SVUH fosters a culture of openness and transparency. The Freedom of Information Act 2014 asserts the right of the public to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy of individuals.
If you would like to submit an FOI request please find email address below:
foi@svuh.ie
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not addressed here please contact us.
What is FOI?
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 provides that every person has the following legal rights:
- A legal right for each person to access information held by public bodies
- A legal right to have official information relating to him/herself amended where it its incomplete, incorrect or misleading
- A legal right to be given reasons for decisions affecting them.
There are exemptions provided for in the Act, this means that there are specific circumstances when the requested information will not be released, e.g. to protect confidentiality.
How do I make an FOI request?
- All FOI requests must be submitted in writing and clearly state that it is being made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Requests can be submitted online, by email or by post to the following address:
Freedom of Information
Quality and Patient Safety Department
St Vincent’s University Hospital
Elm Park
Dublin 4
Email: foi@svuh.ie
- Please state clearly the exact records sought, supplying as much detail as possible, i.e. date, type of record, hospital department.
- If you are requesting access to your personal Healthcare Record, please apply directly through Medical Records .
- If you are requesting personal information of a deceased person you must provide a copy of state issued personal identification, a copy of the deceased person’s death certificate and evidence of your relationship to the deceased. The FOI Office will balance the patient’s right to confidentiality with the right of another person to be given that information in the public good, called the public interest.
- Applications will be acknowledged within two weeks and replied to within four weeks of receipt of a valid request. Some cases may require an extension of time. The requester will be notified in such instances.
- Please note that a Disclosure Log of all non-personal FOIs received will be regularly published on this website.
What kind of information can I request under FOI?
Access to official information held by the hospital can be sought under the FOI Act, including:
- Records relating to non-personal information
- Healthcare Record of a deceased patient
However, in order to allow hospital business to be properly conducted and to comply with FOI requirements it will sometimes be necessary to exempt from release certain types of information.
These exemptions are set out in the 2014 Act. Among the exemptions are:
- Personal information (other than information relating to the person making the request).
- Information supplied to the hospital in confidence.
- Law enforcement and Public Safety.
- Commercially sensitive information.
- Deliberations of the hospital.
- Functions and negotiations of the hospital.
Requests may also be refused if they are deemed too voluminous or unclear. Please ensure your request is as clear and specific as possible.
What fees are charged under FOI?
Personal information
There is no fee for personal information requests, except in circumstances where the request seeks an excessive number of records.
Non-personal information
In respect of non-personal requests, fees may apply. You will be notified of any fees once your request is received and considered.
Search and retrieval* fees are as follows:
Up to the first five hours – free
€20 per hour thereafter
Maximum charge is €500
Requests that exceed a value of €700 will be refused on administrative grounds.
*search and retrieval includes time spent on finding and verifying information.
What is the Model Publication Scheme?
Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI. Please find SVUH FOI Publication Scheme below.
If the information you require cannot be found on the SVUH website or is not currently made publicly available by SVUH, you may consider making a Freedom of Information Request.
1. General Information
2. SVUH Services
3. Decision Making Procedures
4. Financial Information
All financial statements are available from the Company Registration Office.
5. Procurement Information
All current eTender competitions are available here
6. FOI Disclosure Log and Other Information to be Published Routinely
The Freedom of Information Disclosure Log for non-personal requests 2018 is available here.
What can I do if I am not satisfied with the decision on my FOI request?
You may appeal the decision by requesting an “Internal FOI Review” to:
Freedom of Information
Quality and Patient Safety Department
St Vincent’s University Hospital
Elm Park
Dublin 4
Email: foi@svuh.ie
You may be charged €30 (€10 for medical card holders) to appeal a decision for non-personal information. You should make your appeal within four weeks from the date of our initial decision.
If you are not satisfied with the internal review decision, you may appeal the decision within six months of receipt by writing to the Office of the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner
6 Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
D02 W773.
Tel: 01 639 5689
LoCall: 1890 22 30 30
Fax: (01) 639 5674
Email: info@oic.ie
Non-personal requests may be charged a fee of €50 (€15 for medical card holders) for an appeal application.
Where can I get more information on FOI?
Quality and Patient Safety Department
St Vincent’s University Hospital
Elm Park
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 221 5020
Email: foi@svuh.ie
The Information Commissioner
Further information can also be sought from the Office of the Information Commissioner at:
6 Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin 2,
D02 W773.
Tel: (01) 639 5689
Email: info@oic.gov.ie