Freedom Of Information
Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2002 every public authority must have a Publication Scheme. This Scheme provides a reference for the public about information routinely published by the organisation.

Representatives from the Boards, Trusts, Special Agencies and Councils worked together to develop three model publication schemes for Northern Ireland, one for the four Health Boards, one for Trusts, Agencies and Councils and one for the Ambulance Service.

The three schemes developed, are similar to those used in the rest of the United Kingdom. The Freedom of Information Commissioner has now approved the three model schemes for use in Northern Ireland.

A declaration was sent to the Freedom of Information Commissioner notifying him that the Council will use the Northern Ireland Model Publication Scheme for Trusts, Agencies and Councils.

Following approval from the Information Commissioner the Council produced a Publication Scheme with 14 classes of information listed in the scheme. This involved listing all documents published by the Eastern Health and Social Services Council, under the relevant class heading.

The Councils Freedom of Information Publication Scheme was made available to the public from 1 November 2003 both as a paper copy and on the website.