Commentary on Sections

Part 4: The Citizen Voice Body for Health and Social Care

Section 18 - Duty to supply information to Citizen Voice Body

56.This section imposes a duty on local health boards, NHS trusts, special health authorities and local authorities to supply such information to the Citizen Voice Body as it may reasonably request for the purpose of its functions. This will enable it to obtain information about the services provided by or arranged by the body or its proposals for developments, for example. The information excludes information that is protected from disclosure by other legislation or other rule of law. A request for information could not, for example, override prohibitions on disclosure contained in data protection legislation.

57.A local authority or an NHS Body must give the Citizen Voice Body its reasons in writing if it refuses to disclose information to the Citizen Voice Body under this section.