Department of Health and Social Care
644 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 27.6%
The Freedom of Information requests reveal a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) under intense scrutiny regarding workforce stability, procurement transparency, and clinical performance. A dominant narrative is the struggle to manage staffing levels, evidenced by repeated requests on bank staff costs, zero-hours contracts, and the 'MARS' redundancy scheme. The authority has been largely transparent about the *existence* of these issues—disclosing relocation packages for nurses and the financial cost of redundancies—but often cites 'excessive compilation effort' or 'data limitations' when asked for granular breakdowns of costs or specific staff categories. This suggests a reactive administrative culture where data is held in silos, making comprehensive analysis difficult for the public.
Key Cases
Case 355345 — This case reveals a significant ethical transparency regarding vaccine ingredients. The authority confirmed that specific vaccines use historical cell lines from legal abortions in the 1960s but explicitly stated this information is not currently provided to patients on consent forms, raising questions about informed consent practices.
Case 355291 — A rare and specific disclosure regarding the Isle of Man TT, revealing the exact amounts recovered from private insurance for race-related medical treatments and confirming that no competitors required Intensive Therapy Unit admission in 2017, providing concrete data on the health impact of major sporting events.
Case 355301 — This case highlights a potential conflict of interest involving the Minister (Hon K Beecroft) and her company, Manx Home Care. While transfer statistics were released, the authority admitted it did not hold the specific contract files, suggesting a fragmentation of records or a deliberate separation of procurement data from the health department.
Case 355253 — The request regarding the 2006 Everall Report (a major child welfare inquiry) was refused on the grounds that the DHSC does not hold the implementation data, which was assigned to the Chief Secretary's Office. This points to a systemic lack of accountability tracking for long-term child protection reforms.
Case 361157 — This case quantifies the cost of the Mutual Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS), disclosing the total payout and annual savings. It serves as a concrete financial metric for the department's strategy to reduce staffing costs through voluntary redundancies.
Related FOI Stories
Dental Services and UDA Performance — #355317, #355117, #355319, #355331, #420033
Workforce Crisis: Recruitment, Retention, and MARS — #355311, #355143, #355153, #355357, #355281
Procurement, Contracts, and Ministerial Conflicts of Interest — #355217, #355161, #355247, #355301, #358156
Clinical Services: Endoscopy, Waiting Lists, and Procedures — #355115, #355219, #355223, #355263, #355387
Public Health, Vaccination, and Substance Abuse — #356085, #355133, #355145, #355229, #355333
All (644)
Information not held (271) ·
All information sent (178) ·
Some information sent but not all held (97) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (44) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (17) ·
Not upheld (12) ·
Upheld - partial (11) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (4) ·
Not required to fulfill request (4) ·
Upheld - full (3) ·
Repeated request (1) ·
Neither confirm or deny information held (1) ·
Decision Notice - Complaint upheld (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-11 | Agreement with Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Liverpool Hospitals | Information not held |
| A request was made for copies of agreements between the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care/Manx Care and specific UK hospitals for patient treatment services from 2018 to the present. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2026-01-20 | Letters of Estrangement | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on Letters of Estrangement issued by the Department of Social Care over the last 10 years, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information. | ||
| 2026-01-12 | NHS Dental Waiting List Allocations & Patient Preferences | Some information sent but not all held |
| The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed NHS dental waiting list sizes and allocation numbers for late 2025 but confirmed it does not hold data regarding patient preferences or audit trails linking preferences to allocations. | ||
| 2025-12-12 | Gastroenterology Waiting Times | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| 2025-12-09 | Medication availability | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care regarding the availability, patient numbers, and future commissioning plans for the drug Nintedanib on the Isle of Man. The authority refused to provide the information, stating it is not held by them and may be held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-11-21 | Cost of the independent review of health and social care | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the costs and funding sources of two independent health reviews; the Department disclosed the cost and budget for the MIAA review but exempted the Sir Jonathan Michael report details as they are publicly available elsewhere. | ||
| 2025-11-14 | NHS Prescriptions for Bowel Irrigation Kits | Information not held |
| A request was made for the number of patients prescribed bowel irrigation kits on the NHS in the Isle of Man, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information as it is not held by them. | ||
| 2025-09-30 | Ear Nose Throat clinic | Information not held |
| A request was made regarding the status of the ENT operating theatre, patient waiting times, and NHS guidelines, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information. | ||
| 2025-09-29 | Waiting times at the ENT Clinic | Information not held |
| A request for information regarding waiting times, clinic closures, and referral processes at the ENT Clinic was refused because the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the data, which is instead managed by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-09-24 | Nigerian recruitment and relocation packages | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed information regarding the recruitment of Nigerian nationals and associated relocation packages by the Department of Health and Social Care between 2020 and 2025. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2025-09-24 | Ghanaian recruitment and relocation packages | Information not held |
| A request was made for details on the recruitment of Ghanaian nationals and associated relocation packages by the Department of Health and Social Care between 2020 and 2025. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2025-09-22 | Medical appointments | Information not held |
| A request was made for data on medical appointments missed or cancelled due to the TT and MGP events between 2022 and 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information, which is likely held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-09-22 | Medical surgery | Information not held |
| A request was made for data on medical surgeries missed or cancelled due to the TT and MGP events between 2022 and 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating they do not hold the information as it is likely held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-09-22 | Elective surgeries | Information not held |
| A request for data on elective surgeries missed or cancelled due to TT and MGP between 2022 and 2025 was refused by the Department of Health and Social Care because the information is not held by them. | ||
| 2025-09-22 | Medical appointments/ surgery during TT and MGP + rest of the year | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on surgeries and medical appointments during the TT and MGP events versus the rest of the year from 2022 to 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating the information is not held by them but likely by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-09-18 | Privatisation of Social Services | Information not held |
| The requester asked for documents regarding proposals to privatise or outsource Social Services functions since October 2021, but the Department of Health and Social Care responded that it does not hold such information. | ||
| 2025-09-08 | Ambulance Call Outs to North Quay, Douglas | Information not held |
| A request was made for ambulance call-out data regarding accidents in North Quay, Douglas, between January and September 2015. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating the information is not held by them and is likely held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-08-26 | Nurses who have left employment from Manx Care | Information not held |
| A request was made for data on non-Manx nurses who left Manx Care employment since August 2019, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide it because they do not hold the information. | ||
| 2025-07-31 | Health and Social Care Ombudsman Report 2025 | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| The requester asked for the receipt date and publication location of the 2025 Health and Social Care Ombudsman annual report, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to disclose this specific information citing an exemption for future publication. | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 1234 | Information not held |
| A request was made for a mental health needs analysis report conducted by Tamlyn Cairns Partnership at the Isle of Man prison on behalf of Manx Care. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating they do not hold the information as it is likely held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-07-22 | Meningitis recorded cases | Information not held |
| A request for monthly meningitis case data from 2021 to 2022 broken down by age was refused by the Department of Health and Social Care because the information is not held by them. | ||
| 2025-07-17 | To gather documentary evidence of breaches and approvals | Information not held |
| The requester sought documentary evidence regarding private practice authorizations, compliance reports, and conflict-of-interest declarations for radiology consultants from the Department of Health and Social Care. The Department responded that it does not hold the specific information requested, citing that individual authorizations and conflict-of-interest data are managed by Manx Care, and no specific compliance reporting on private practice is required under the Operational Mandate. | ||
| 2025-07-17 | FOI Request - RPA/RPS Correspondence and Private Practice Oversight | Information not held |
| The requester asked for correspondence regarding radiation protection and private practice oversight between Manx Care's RPA/RPS and the Executive Team. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating they do not hold the information as it is likely held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-07-08 | Current numbers on hospital waiting lists | Information not held |
| The requester asked for specific waiting list numbers and delays for hip, knee, and cataract operations for Isle of Man residents. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating the detailed data is held by Manx Care, though they possess high-level statistics not broken down by procedure. | ||
| 2025-06-26 | 'Covid' Claims: Isle of Man Prison Jurby Isolation of A Wing Prisoners | Information not held |
| A request was made for details regarding the isolation of six male prisoners at Jurby Prison in June 2025, including specific PCR testing protocols and evidence of contagion. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information, stating it is not held by them and likely resides with the Department of Home Affairs. | ||
| 2025-06-25 | Health impact of air pollution exposure | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Health and Social Care for data on health impacts of air pollution from the CCGT plant in Pulrose/Douglas, monitoring details, and policy inputs. The department refused the request stating they do not hold the information, suggesting it may be held by The Cabinet Office (Public Health). | ||
| 2025-06-25 | Longest period spent on dental waiting list | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the longest duration any individual has spent on a dental waiting list in the Isle of Man. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating they do not hold the information as it is likely held by Manx Care following a 2021 restructuring. | ||
| 2025-06-24 | amount of children being caused harm by British Hospital | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on Manx children treated at UK hospitals and those who suffered harm, specifically medication overdoses, since 2010. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information, stating it is not held by them and may be held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2025-06-16 | Work permits | Information not held |
| A request was made for the number of work permits issued to healthcare assistants in the 2024/25 year, but the Department of Health and Social Care stated it does not hold this information. | ||
| 2025-05-29 | Caesium - 137 (Cs-137) | Information not held |
| A request for data and mapping on Caesium-137 fallout levels in upland areas of the Isle of Man was made to the Department of Health and Social Care. The department responded that it does not hold the requested information, suggesting it may be held by the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture. | ||
| 2025-05-28 | ADHD Pathway Refusal | Information not held |
| The requester asked why the Department of Health and Social Care blocked the Adult ADHD pathway, but the authority responded that it does not hold specific information on the refusal reasons, citing competing funding priorities. | ||
| 2025-05-13 | Nobles Hospital staffing levels | Information not held |
| A request was made for total staffing numbers at Nobles Hospital for tax and calendar years between 2020 and 2024, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information. | ||
| 2025-05-13 | Nobles Hospital staffing levels | Information not held |
| A request was made for staffing levels at Nobles Hospital for the years 2020 to 2024, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information. | ||
| 2025-04-30 | Cancer pathways dismissed with no contact | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on cancer referrals downgraded without appointments for head and neck cancer, but the Department of Health and Social Care stated they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2025-04-24 | Neonatal Information | Information not held |
| A request for absolute numbers of stillbirths in the Isle of Man for 2024 and early 2025 was made to the Department of Health and Social Care. The authority responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department for Enterprise instead. | ||
| 2025-04-07 | Peel GP PRACTICE appointments | Information not held |
| A request was made for monthly appointment statistics at Peel GP Practice since April 2018, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information as it is not held by them. | ||
| 2025-04-02 | Migrant funding | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for detailed financial data regarding payments to refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. The department refused the request, stating that the information is not held by them and may be held by the Treasury. | ||
| 2025-03-31 | Presentations or Briefings from Manx Care to the DHSC | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought presentations and briefings between Manx Care and the DHSC from January to February 2025, resulting in the disclosure of documents detailing the 2025-26 Mandate and Operating Plan, though some information was withheld under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-03-28 | Inquiry on Postage Costs and Transition to Electronic Communication | Information not held |
| The requester asked for postage costs for 2022-2024 and details on transitioning to electronic communication, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating the information is not held by them. | ||
| 2025-03-21 | Data on IBD on the island | Information not held |
| A request was made for coded patient data on Inflammatory Bowel Disease across Isle of Man GP surgeries to aid service development, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information. | ||
| 2025-03-18 | Midazolam usage in Abbotswood Nursing home under DHSC control 2020 | Information not held |
| A request was made for details regarding midazolam usage at Abbotswood Nursing Home in 2020 while under DHSC control, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information. | ||
| 2025-03-17 | Health cuts correspondence with the UK | Information not held |
| A request for correspondence regarding health cuts with the UK was made to the Department of Health and Social Care, but the information was not disclosed because the department does not hold it. | ||
| 2025-03-12 | Diabetes retinopathy provision | All information sent |
| The request sought progress on diabetic retinal screening implementation and specific spending figures from the Healthcare Transformation Fund, including KPMG costs. The authority provided links to policy documents regarding progress but refused to disclose specific monetary amounts, citing that the data is not held separately from a wider portfolio of work. | ||
| 2025-03-04 | Rheumatology Department | Information not held |
| A request was made for five-year statistics on complaints and UK care transfer requests for the Rheumatology Department, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information as it is not held by them. | ||
| 2025-03-03 | Equality of Care | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed gender-disaggregated data on healthcare appointments, spending, and life expectancy over five years, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information. | ||
| 2025-02-25 | MHK Statement | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought communications regarding a Manx Care statement accusing MHK Julie Edge of making incorrect claims about a Code Red incident at Noble's Hospital. The authority released internal emails showing Minister Claire Christian did not authorize the specific comments about Ms Edge, while redacting personal data and conduct-related information. | ||
| 2025-02-19 | legal expenses | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on negligence cases and legal expenses involving Manx Care over the last five years. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that they do not hold this information as it is not reported to them and advised contacting Manx Care directly. | ||
| 2025-02-18 | Dr statements / sickness absence | Information not held |
| 2025-02-11 | Parentcraft Classes | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence regarding the decision to move parentcraft classes from face-to-face to an online model. The authority disclosed a parliamentary answer and supplementary information explaining the rationale for the change, though some internal correspondence was withheld under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-02-11 | Complaints Against Social Workers | Information not held |
| The requester asked for annual complaint statistics against Social Workers since 2015 and detailed categorization of those complaints. The Department of Health and Social Care provided aggregate complaint numbers but stated it does not hold specific categorization data for complaints made before the April 2021 separation of services to Manx Care. | ||
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