scholarly journals Utilising the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000 for crime record data

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Johnson ◽  
Edward Hampson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Examination ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Freedom Of Information Act ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Police Service ◽  
Police Practice ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Police Forces

Purpose – This research paper aims to consider the use of the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) as a resource providing access to otherwise unavailable data from the UK Police forces. Not seeking to be a critical examination of Police practice, it offers insight to many aspects of records management appertaining to the police service provision of recorded crime. Authors consider whether record management is sufficiently integrated into police practice, given the transparency called for by the FOIA, contemporary societal needs and the growing requirement to provide high value evidence led assessments of activity both within and external to the service. Design/methodology/approach – FOIA was utilised to collect data from all police forces in England and Wales through multiple requests. Carried out over a 15-month period, three requests were collated and responses compared, allowing for examination of compliance with the legislation and reflections on the manner in which records were sought and ultimately disseminated. Findings – Generally, responding to FOIA requests was well managed by English Police Forces. Methods of data management and collection practice were exposed which the authors suggest pose questions on the strength of records management consideration that may be worthy of further work. Configuration management of records is highlighted as an essential function given the disparity of data releases experienced. Research limitations/implications – This research highlights the FOIA as a valuable methodological tool for academic researchers, but it is limited in respect of seeking firm contextual explanation of the Police internal procedures to answer requests. By making common requests over a long time period to the same Police forces, it provides a clear study of FOIA processes and raises potentially significant questions for records management consideration. Practical implications – Findings provide advice on developing use of the FOIA as an academic methodological resource and reflect on the findings impact on internal police use of data and information records. Originality/value – This paper allows for reflection on the importance of high-value records management in the day-to-day business of the police service and questions whether such knowledge areas are suitably considered. Covering an area of little previous academic enquiry, the research informs criminal justice practitioners of areas for potential further discussion and academic researchers on the validity of using the FOIA as a valuable information source.

scholarly journals Trends in orthopaedic antimicrobial prophylaxis in the UK between 2005 and 2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (7) ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
RS Aujla ◽  
DJ Bryson ◽  
A Gulihar ◽  
GJ Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Orthopaedic Surgery ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis ◽  
Trauma Surgery ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Freedom Of Information Act ◽  
The Uk

Introduction Antimicrobial prophylaxis remains the most powerful tool used to reduce infection rates in orthopaedics but the choice of antibiotic is complex. The aim of this study was to examine trends in antimicrobial prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery involving the insertion of metalwork between 2005 and 2011. Methods Two questionnaires (one in 2008 and one in 2011) were sent to all National Health Service trusts in the UK using the Freedom of Information Act. Results In total, 87% of trusts that perform orthopaedic surgery responded. The use of cefuroxime more than halved between 2005 and 2011 from 80% to 36% and 78% to 26% in elective surgery and trauma surgery respectively. Combination therapy with flucloxacillin and gentamicin rose from 1% to 32% in elective and 1% to 34% in trauma surgery. Other increasingly popular regimes include teicoplanin and gentamicin (1% to 10% in elective, 1% to 6% in trauma) and co-amoxiclav (3% to 8% in elective, 4% to 14% in trauma). The majority of changes occurred between 2008 and 2010. Over half (56%) of the trusts stated that Clostridium difficile was the main reason for changing regimes. Conclusions In 2008 a systematic review involving 11,343 participants failed to show a difference in surgical site infections when comparing different antimicrobial prophylaxis regimes in orthopaedic surgery. Concerns over C difficile and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus have influenced antimicrobial regimes in both trauma and elective surgery. Teicoplanin would be an appropriate choice for antimicrobial prophylaxis in both trauma and elective units but this is not reflected in its current level of popularity.

scholarly journals Informal mental health patients: what are they told of their legal rights?

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
Russell Ashmore ◽  
Neil Carver
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Freedom Of Information Act ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Freedom Of Movement ◽  
Information Leaflets ◽  
Written Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine what written information is given to informally admitted patients in England and Wales regarding their legal rights in relation to freedom of movement and treatment. Design/methodology/approach Information leaflets were obtained by a search of all National Health Service mental health trust websites in England and health boards in Wales and via a Freedom of Information Act 2000 request. Data were analysed using content analysis. Findings Of the 61 organisations providing inpatient care, 27 provided written information in the form of a leaflet. Six provided public access to the information leaflets via their website prior to admission. Although the majority of leaflets were accurate the breadth and depth of the information varied considerably. Despite a common legal background there was confusion and inconsistency in the use of the terms informal and voluntary as well as inconsistency regarding freedom of movement, the right to refuse treatment and discharge against medical advice. Research limitations/implications The research has demonstrated the value of Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests in obtaining data. Further research should explore the effectiveness of informing patients of their rights from their perspective. Practical implications Work should be undertaken to establish a consensus of good practice in this area. Information should be consistent, accurate and understandable. Originality/value This is the only research reporting on the availability and content of written information given to informal patients about their legal rights.

Tax avoidance: do board gender diversity and sustainability performance make a difference?

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1389-1408
Author(s):  
Anis Jarboui ◽  
Maali Kachouri Ben Saad ◽  
Rakia Riguen
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Tax Avoidance ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Board Gender Diversity ◽  
The Uk

Purpose This study aims to investigate whether board gender diversity and sustainability performance influence tax avoidance. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a sample consisting of 300 UK firms over the 2005-2017 period. This study is motivated by structural equations and system models that specify both a direct and an indirect link between board gender diversity and tax avoidance. Findings The results show that the level of tax avoidance decrease when the level of women on the board increase. Therefore, we find that sustainability performance is generally associated with greater tax avoidance. In combination, the results suggest that board gender diversity and sustainability performance play a significant role in corporate tax avoidance. Practical implications The findings may be of interest to the academic researchers, investors and regulators. For academic researchers, it is interested in discovering board gender diversity, sustainability performance and tax avoidance. For investors, the results show that the existence of female directors on the board reduces the tax avoidance. For regulators, the results advise the worldwide policy makers to give the importance of female roles to improve the engagement firms in sustainability reporting. Originality/value This study extends the existing literature by examining the mediating effect of sustainability performance on the relationship between board gender and tax avoidance in the UK context.

The Norwegian Noark Model requirements for EDRMS in the context of open government and access to governmental information

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olav Hagen Sataslaatten
Keyword(s):  
Open Government ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Digital Repository ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Search Results ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Trusted Digital Repository ◽  
The Right

Purpose – This article aims to analyze the relationship between the Norwegian Noark Standard and the concepts of Open Government and Freedom of Information (FOI). Noark is the Norwegian model requirements for Electronic Documents and Records Management Systems (EDRMS). It was introduced in 1984, making it not only the world’s first model requirement for EDRMS but also, through the introduction of versions from Noark 1 to the present Noark 5, internationally the model requirement with the longest continuation of implementation. Design/methodology/approach – To better understand the technical outline and functionality of the Noark Model requirements, it is necessary to see the connection to the wider framework of the Norwegian governance legislation and its FOI Act (Norway, Freedom of Information Act, 2006) on the right of access to documents held by the public administration and public undertakings. FOI is the foundation on which the Norwegian Open Government platform (OEP) rests, as it aims to increase openness and transparency in the Norwegian society. Being one of the first national initiatives to incorporate in a single platform an up-to-date nationwide registry of metadata deriving from the EDRMS of the governmental sector, OEP is a model which could have relevance in open government settings also outside of Norway. Findings – Non-fixity and randomness in the registering of metadata decrease the possibility of systematic search and systematic retrieval, since search within records presumably requires a combination of two or more sets of metadata. Context is a crucial component in information retrieval from records, and no records contain only one metadata element. With few exceptions, a record relates to another record, and the relation between the two of them is in itself a set of metadata. If the metadata relating the two records does not follow a standardized format, retrieval possibilities will remain random. The unpredictability following inadequate search results will decrease the credibility and the trust factor which should lie imminent within the information system. The absence of adequate search results will lead to an immediate decrease in the public’s perception of the system being valid or relevant as a trusted source of information. If metadata within a governmental agency is known to be subject to non-authorised alterations, deletion on changes, trust in the authenticity and integrity of the information provided from the agency will decrease significantly. This subsequently decreases predictability in the retrieval of information within the EDRMS. The parameters securing non-alteration of metadata once locked in the Noark-compliant EDRMS, may be measured against the absence of the same in any system being compared. Originality/value – An adequate analysis describing the principles of trust embedded in the weekly or daily dissemination of metadata from the Noark databases to the OEP somehow has to explain certain parameters. These parameters within the Noark requirements eliminate the possibility of unauthorised deletion, alteration or manipulation of metadata and documents in the databases of the governmental organisations. The combination of parameters also creates context. The metadata transferred from the Noark systems to the OEP platform may never have been stored within a trusted digital repository. Transfer to the OEP happens weekly, whilst transfer to the repository of The National Archives is performed far less seldom – perhaps every tenth year. The contents of the Noark-based systems are not stored in trusted digital repositories in the governmental agencies, but remain part of the ordinary grid of servers and databases.

scholarly journals Engagement and observation: a review of local policies in England and Wales

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-183
Author(s):  
Russell Ashmore
Keyword(s):  
National Standards ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Freedom Of Information Act ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Policies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the content of local policies on engagement and observation written by National Health Service (NHS) organisations in England and Wales. Design/methodology/approach Engagement and observation policies were obtained from all (n = 61) NHS mental health trusts in England and health boards in Wales via a Freedom of Information Act 2000 request. Data were analysed using content analysis. Findings All organisations had a specific policy referring to either “observation and engagement” or “observation”. The policies varied considerably in quality, length, breadth and depth of the information provided. Significant variations existed in the terminology used to describe the different types of enhanced observation. Inconsistencies were also noted between organisations regarding: which members of the clinical team could initiate, increase, decrease and terminate observation; who could undertake the intervention (for example students); and the reasons for using it. Finally, despite rhetoric to the contrary, the emphasis of policies was on observation and not engagement. Research limitations/implications This research has demonstrated the value of examining local policies for identifying inconsistencies in guidance given to practitioners on the implementation of engagement and observation. Further research should be undertaken to explore the impact of local policies on practice. Practical implications Local policies remain variable in content and quality and do not reflect contemporary research. There is a need to produce evidence-based national standards that organisations are required to comply with. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first research in 20 years examining the local policy framework for the implementation of engagement and observation.

scholarly journals The UK Freedom of Information Act (2000) in healthcare research: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. e002967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J Fowler ◽  
Riaz A Agha ◽  
Christian F Camm ◽  
Peter Littlejohns
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Freedom Of Information Act ◽  
The Uk
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