Visiting Clinicians FOI
Case reference FOI2026/01170
Received 21 April 2026
Published 8 May 2026
Request
Response
1.The total number of visiting clinicians (including observers, fellows, or exchange participants not employed as substantive or locum staff) hosted by the Trust in each of the last three financial years.
It is not possible to get this information as it will require a review of individual staff records of over 1600 individuals who have visited to check if they fit this criteria. Therefore this is refused under section 14 of the FOIA.
2.A breakdown of these individuals by nationality where recorded, or if not held, by country of primary medical qualification (PMQ).
It is not possible to get this information as it will require a review of individual staff records of over 1600 individuals who have visited to check if they fit this criteria. Therefore this is refused under section 14 of the FOIA.
3. Whether visiting clinicians are permitted to access electronic patient record systems (EPR), and if so, the number granted access in each of the last three years and whether this access is read-only or includes editing rights.
All visiting clinicians (apart from Observer Contracts) are given access to EPR and this is not Read-Only. End dates are matched to the Contract granted.
4.Whether visiting clinicians are required to sign confidentiality agreements and/or data protection or data-sharing agreements.
All honorary contracts and observer agreements include confidentiality clauses.
“Confidential Information” means confidential and sensitive information of the Trust, including (but not limited to):
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information on research grants, research-related contracts, research results, and intellectual property;
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clinical and research governance information, including information on patients, their diagnosis and treatment, clinical samples, and clinical and personal information;
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individual staff and/or patient records; and
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the Trust’s business plans, activities, and financial affairs that are not in the public domain.
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Confidential Information must, under no circumstances, be divulged or passed to any unauthorised person, or used for any purpose other than those directly and legitimately related to the appointment under this observer agreement.
Individuals who receive an honorary agreement confirm that they agree to comply with all Trust policies and procedures.
5.Whether any additional restrictions, safeguards, or approval processes apply to visiting clinicians based on country of origin, country of medical qualification, or institutional affiliation.
No. All visiting clinicians are required to comply NHS Employers’ standard checks and verification before attending. This requirement is not based on country of origin.
6.Whether visiting clinicians are permitted to be present during patient consultations or ward rounds involving identifiable patients, and what requirements exist for obtaining patient consent.
Visiting clinicians are approved and supervised by departmental leads within the organisation, following checks being completed. Appointment under an observer agreement or an honorary contract grants access to wards and departments across hospital sites, strictly in accordance with the terms of the role and the relevant agreement, and under the supervision of the designated Supervising Manager or their delegate.
Individuals who receive an honorary agreement confirm that they agree to comply with all Trust policies and procedures.
All staff regardless of role when given a smartcard must have completed the full NHS checks ie. ID checks
Documents
This is Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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