FOI and Access to Health Records Manager | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

UHCW NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in England is seeking an experienced Team Manager for the FOI and Access to Health Records Team. You will manage requests under the Freedom of Information Act and ensure compliance with various data protection laws. The ideal candidate should have strong organisational and communication skills, along with expertise in handling information requests. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to high-quality patient care and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is a must.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the FOI and Access to Health Records (A2HR) Team.
• Oversee processing of FOI and A2HR requests.
• Provide specialist advice and support on FOI and data protection.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Job description

The Information Governance Unit are looking for a dynamic, hard-working, individual. The post holder will manage the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Access to Health Records (A2HR) Team ensuring that all requests for information received under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act are processed and forwarded for approval and that all requests for information made pursuant to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Access to Health Records Act (AHRA) 1990. Candidates must have excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills. A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is a must.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the FOI and Access to Health Records (A2HR) Team, ensuring statutory compliance with FOI Act, DPA, AHRA, and UK GDPR.
• Oversee processing of FOI and A2HR requests, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
• Provide specialist advice and support across the Trust on FOI, data protection, and access to records.
• Line manage team members, including recruitment, appraisals, training, and performance management.
• Maintain and develop request tracking systems (e.g. Infreemation) and produce compliance reports.
• Respond to complaints and appeals, liaising with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Support implementation of legislative changes and contribute to relevant Trust committees.
• Promote continuous improvement and staff development within the team.
• Ensure that requests for information are managed in accordance with statutory obligations, national and local standards and support the Trust’s business, clinical and operational needs, ensuring a problem-solving approach is always employed.
• Support the Associate Director of Information Governance in providing an advisory function to the Trust for internal / external queries in relation to DPA, AHRA and FOI.
• Support the Corporate Affairs team in ensuring that the Trust’s publication scheme for Freedom of Information requests is up to date and in line with requirements.
• Manage the FOI and A2HR team; provide effective line management for staff, organise their workloads ensuring targets are met, take responsibility for staff performance including all aspects of leave and absence management, recruitment and selection, and ensure resources stay within budgets.
• Manage the education, training and development of all staff in the FOI and A2HR team and undertake personal development reviews / appraisals identifying training needs and keep an accurate record of all staff reviews.
• Manage and contribute to projects that involve FOI and/or A2HR ensuring that project documentation is created and maintained to the required standard.
• Manage and respond to FOI and/or A2HR complaints from patients by working cohesively with other departments across the Trust ensuring the Trust’s duty of candour is upheld. Communicate effectively with patients in writing and over the phone.
• Actively work with managers and other stakeholders internally and externally to ensure that the Trust’s FOI and A2HR processes meet the objectives of the organisation.
• Effectively network with all staff in the Trust to provide accurate and thorough advice regarding FOI and Access to Health Records requests.
• Keep abreast of all best practice guidance, codes of conduct and legislation relevant to FOI and Access to Health records issues.

About the Trust

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award.Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

Additional information

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025