The Hospital has a policy of openness and transparency and, where feasible, will make as much information as possible available to members of the public on a routine basis.

Information in relation to services is generally routinely available throughout the Hospital, on the Patient Information Leaflet and on the Hospital website www.naashospital.ie.

Naas General Hospital holds a wide variety of records at various locations throughout the Hospital arising from contact with its patients. These patient records are held in strict confidence, consistent with the right to privacy of the individual.

When patients wish to access information held about them they should contact the service provider, e.g. doctor, nurse, manager, etc., in the first instance. Where appropriate, personal information can be discussed directly between the client and the service provider. In cases where a patient wishes to request access to see original records or gain copies of information held about them, they should make the request in writing to the Patient Services Department, Naas General Hospital where administration access may be granted.  Proof of identity must be provided.

In certain cases, where records contain confidential or third party information, patients may be requested to seek access to their personal records under the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

In general, the Hospital's policy is to provide as much information as possible without recourse to the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

Complete staff records for Naas General Hospital are held in the Human Resources Department, HSE, Shared Services Eastern Region,  Dr. Steevens' Hospital, Dublin 8.  Limited staff records are maintained in the Hospital.

If any employee wishes to access their records, they should contact the Human Resources Department and every effort will be made to provide access. However, in some cases, where the information on file is of a confidential nature, and where there is third party information, employees may be asked to request access under the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

The Freedom of Information Acts of 1997 and 2003 provide for information not otherwise publicly available. Each person has a right to:

Access to records held by the Hospital, subject to exemptions and the public interest
Have personal information updated or corrected when it is incorrect, inaccurate or misleading
Be given reasons for decisions that affect them
Making an application under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 & 2003
The following records come within the scope of the Act:

All records relating to personal information held by Naas General Hospital regardless of when created
All non-personal records held by Naas General Hospital which were created after the Freedom of Information Act 1997 came into force on October 21, 1998
Personnel records of staff created after April 21, 1995. Any record created before April 21, 1995 where access is necessary for understanding a record created after April 21, 1995
Personnel records held by Naas General Hospital may be accessed by the employees or former employees concerned.

Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 & 2003 should be made in writing. In preparing a request, the following should be adhered to:

The request must state it is being made under the Freedom of Information Act.
Sufficient information should be provided to enable Naas General Hospital staff to identify the records requested.
Any preference regarding the manner in which access is sought, e.g. inspection of originals, supply of photocopies or computer disk, etc.
Full personal contact details should be provided. Applications under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 should be addressed to the Patient Services Manager, Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co. Kildare.  Contact Patient Services Department 045 849514.