Disciplinary proceedings over NHS staff using social media or instant messaging apps

The request was partially successful.

Dear Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust,

I am writing with a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I would like this information for the calendar year to date, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Please can you tell me:

*How many people working at the trust have been subject to disciplinary proceedings for their use of instant messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat)?

*How many people working at the trust have been subject to disciplinary proceedings for their use of social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)?

*Please tell me, for each case, the job title of the staff member concerned (e.g. junior doctor, consultant, nurse, administrative staff) and which sanctions were applied (e.g. dismissal, formal warning, referral to professional regulator).

I would prefer to receive the information electronically, and in either Excel or CSV format.

Should this request be likely to breach the costs limit set out in section 12 of the FOI Act, I would like the information for the most recent calendar years in turn, going backwards until the cost limit is reached.

Yours faithfully,

Kat Lay
Health Correspondent
The Times
020 7782 5054 // 07775 694 789

FOI, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Dear Kat Lay

We acknowledge your enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act. I will look into your request and respond within 20 working days from receipt of your request.

Best Regards

Peter Curtis

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FOI, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Dear Kat Lay

Further to your request for information less than 6 members of staff have been subject to disciplinary proceedings for the period in question for use of instant messaging apps/social media. We therefore apply s40(2) the remainder of your request as we consider this could identify the individuals concerned.

If you are unhappy in any way regarding the manner in which your request has been handled, the Trust has an internal review procedure through which you can raise any concerns you might have. Further details of this procedure can be obtained by contacting [email address]

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaints procedure, you can apply to the Information Commissioner, who will consider whether the Trust has complied with its obligations under the FOIA, and can require the Trust to remedy any problems. You can find out more about how to do this, and about the FOIA in general, on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Complaints to the Information Commissioner should be sent to:
FOI/EIR Complaints Resolution

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely,

Freedom Of Information Teamklik
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 0118 322 6743/7405
Email: [Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust request email]

Guidance from The Information Commissioner’s Office can be found here link<https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/offici...>.
If your request is not a Freedom of Information request and is more urgent please contact the main switchboard on 0118 322 5111 Disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 As we are a public authority all the written material we hold, including any correspondence you send to us, may be considered for release following a request to us under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 unless the information is exempt.

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