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

The request was refused by Weston Area Health NHS Trust.

Dear Weston Area Health NHS 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, Waht (WESTON AREA HEALTH NHS TRUST), Weston Area Health NHS Trust

Dear Kat ,

I acknowledge receipt of your email received 09April 2018 requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act.
I can confirm that your request is currently being processed and a response will be forwarded to you within 20 working days.

Regards,

Jo Ward

on behalf of Gillian Hoskins
Trust Board Secretary &
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

[email address]

Telephone: 01934 647002

www.waht.nhs.uk

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FOI, Waht (WESTON AREA HEALTH NHS TRUST), Weston Area Health NHS Trust

Dear Kat
 
Please find below the response to your recent Freedom of Information
enquiry from Weston Area Health NHS Trust.
 
 
*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).
 
 
We can confirm Weston Area NHS Trust holds this information, but due to
the small numbers involved, we decline to provide this information as this
could lead to identification of the individuals concerned.  We believe
this to be in line with the data protection principles as set out in
Section 40(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
 
 
I trust that your request has been satisfactorily answered, but I should
advise you that you have the right to complain about this response by
reference to the complaints procedure of the Weston Area Health NHS Trust,
in which case you should write to me at this email address.
 
If you remain dissatisfied with the decision of the Trust following your
complaint, you may write to the Information Commissioner, whose address
is:
 
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire SK9 5AF.
 
       
Yours sincerely,
 
 
 
Jo Ward
 
on behalf of Gillian Hoskins
Trust Board Secretary &
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian                     
 
 
[1][email address]
 
Telephone: 01934 647002
 
 
[2]www.waht.nhs.uk
 
 
 

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