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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-07-19 | Hospitals | Information not held |
| The requester asked for hospital bed capacity levels and long-term patient stay statistics at Noble's Hospital for early 2021. 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. | ||
| 2021-07-14 | hospital Admissions Jan20-July21 | Information not held |
| The requester asked for monthly hospital admission statistics and reasons for Nobles Hospital from January 2020 to June 2021. 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. | ||
| 2021-06-21 | Hospitalisation due influenza | Information not held |
| The requester asked for 15 years of data on hospitalizations and deaths from influenza and pneumonia, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating the information is not held by them. | ||
| 2021-06-16 | Pregnant and breastfeeding | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the specific data used by the Isle of Man government to advise that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The authority responded that the information was already reasonably accessible to the public and provided links to relevant guidance from the JCVI, MHRA, and other health bodies. | ||
| 2021-06-16 | How many died with covid 'vaccine' | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the number of deaths and certified causes of death for vaccinated individuals in the Isle of Man between January and June 2021. 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. | ||
| 2021-06-16 | Covid and pcr figures | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for PCR settings, mortality figures, undertaker death data, vaccine reaction reports, and legal resolution compliance; the Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that it does not hold most of this data, directing the requester to other bodies like Manx Care and Public Health, while confirming the use of the UK Yellow Card scheme for vaccine reactions. | ||
| 2021-06-08 | Brain Haemorrhage/Aneurysm Data | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed statistics on brain haemorrhage and aneurysm admissions at Nobles Hospital over the last five years, including mortality rates and transfers to the Walton Centre. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating the information is not held due to a recent organizational restructuring. | ||
| 2021-06-03 | Independent reviewing officers | Information not held |
| The requester asked for yearly statistics on independent reviewing officers employed by and leaving the Department of Health and Social Care between 2011 and 2020, including their prior social work experience. The Department responded that it does not hold this information because social care services were transferred to Manx Care following a system redesign on 1 April 2021. | ||
| 2021-05-03 | Child protection | Information not held |
| A request was made for annual statistics on children who were not placed on the child protection register between 2009 and 2021. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that the information is not held, noting that responsibility for Children's Social Care transferred to Manx Care in April 2021. | ||
| 2021-04-23 | Covid returning passengers | Information not held |
| A request was made for the number of passengers who tested positive for Covid-19 while isolating after traveling to 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 Public Health within the Cabinet Office. | ||
| 2021-04-13 | Deaths within 28 days of Covid test | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test and within 28 days of Covid vaccination doses. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that it does not hold this information, stating it is likely held by Public Health and Manx Care respectively. | ||
| 2021-04-13 | Abbotswood Nursing Home Deaths | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for detailed data regarding deaths, autopsies, DNR orders, and gagging orders at Abbotswood Nursing Home in 2019 and 2020 was submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information, directing the requester to other bodies like the General Registry and Manx Care, while noting that DNR data would be exempt as personal health records. | ||
| 2021-04-12 | Vaccine damage payments | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care for the number of families receiving vaccine damage payments between 2010 and 2019. The authority responded that the information is not held because the scheme is administered by the UK Department for Work and Pensions. | ||
| 2021-04-12 | Pregnancy questions | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on inductions, C-sections, and infant deaths between 2018 and 2020, along with drug details. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request because the information is held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2021-04-09 | Deaths within 28 days of receiving the Pfizer or Astra Zeneca Vaccine | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on deaths within 28 days of receiving Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines on the Isle of Man, including age breakdowns. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating the information is not held by them and may be held by Manx Care. | ||
| 2021-04-08 | COVID-19 vaccination adverse events leading to hospitalisation | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for the number of hospital admissions in the Isle of Man due to adverse COVID-19 vaccination effects between November 2020 and April 2021. The authority responded that the information is not held and suggested re-submitting the request to Manx Care. | ||
| 2021-04-08 | PCR test cycle threshold | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care regarding the PCR cycle threshold for SARS-CoV-2 detection, but the information was not held by the department as it is managed by Manx Care. | ||
| 2021-04-07 | Manx Care Executive Management Team | Information not held |
| A request was made for the membership, organizational chart, and job descriptions of the Manx Care Executive Management Team. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request because the information is held by Manx Care, not the Department. | ||
| 2021-03-31 | Child Protection Register 2011 - 2021 | All information sent |
| The requester asked for annual statistics on children placed on the Child Protection Register in the Isle of Man from 2011 to 2021. The Department of Health and Social Care provided the requested data for each year, noting that figures represent children placed on a Child Protection Plan and that some children may have had multiple periods on the plan. | ||
| 2021-03-31 | Current active positive Covid 19 cases | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for current active Covid-19 case numbers by age group and details on the primary cause of 29 recorded deaths. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide this information, stating it is held by Public Health within the Cabinet Office. | ||
| 2021-03-24 | Contracted UDA's and provider performances | All information sent |
| 2021-03-22 | PCR CT | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for PCR cycle thresholds, scientific advice on lockdowns, and risk assessments regarding face masks. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed two PPE risk assessment documents for healthcare staff but withheld information on PCR thresholds and specific scientific advisors, citing partial exemptions. | ||
| 2021-03-22 | Print spend | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for print spending data with specific local suppliers between January 2020 and January 2021. The authority disclosed the net spend for each supplier, totaling over £111,000, with the majority spent on Mannin Media Group Ltd. | ||
| 2021-03-19 | Patients in Nobles hospital | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for statistics on COVID-19 test results and vaccination doses for 26 patients at Nobles Hospital on March 19, 2021. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to disclose the information, citing an absolute exemption for personal data. | ||
| 2021-03-16 | Number of visitors (outpatients and signed in visitors) Nobles | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought data on hospital visitors, outpatients, and staff numbers for March 2021, broken down by time of day. The Department of Health and Social Care provided detailed outpatient appointment statistics by location and media type but did not hold data on general visitors or staff numbers. | ||
| 2021-03-16 | ICU COVID | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked if a confirmed COVID-19 case was present on the non-COVID ICU ward on March 11, 2021, and why the ward was on 'Code Red'. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that a positive patient was isolated in a negative pressure room and explained that the 'Code Red' status was triggered by an internal contact tracing exercise on March 10. | ||
| 2021-03-15 | Adverse Event Reporting Isle of Man | Upheld - partial |
| 2021-03-11 | Description of "cases" | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for clarification on how 'positive cases' are defined, testing protocols, symptom data, PCR sensitivity, and potential links between vaccination and case increases. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that positive cases are based solely on PCR detection, provided technical test specifications, but withheld symptom data and investigation details citing that the information is not held by their department. | ||
| 2021-03-08 | Covid asymptomatic cases | Information not held |
| 2021-03-05 | Influenza Numbers 2016-2021 | Information not held |
| A request was made for influenza case numbers in the Isle of Man from 2016 to 2021, but the Department of Health and Social Care responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2021-03-04 | Contact tracing app | Information not held |
| A request was made for documents regarding a contact tracing app decision and the number of contact tracers, but the Department of Health and Social Care stated they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2021-03-02 | Number of Hip Replacements carried out | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought monthly breakdowns of hip replacement surgeries and waiting list removal statistics for 2019 and 2020 at Nobles Hospital. The authority disclosed aggregate surgery counts and detailed waiting list removal reasons but could not provide monthly breakdowns due to incomplete clinical coding. | ||
| 2021-02-22 | Part time General Practitioners | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care regarding the number of practicing GPs in the Isle of Man, specifically focusing on part-time workers and their gender distribution. The authority disclosed that there are 103 GPs on the Performers List, provided a breakdown of part-time sessions by practice, and stated that 55% of part-time GPs are female. | ||
| 2021-02-09 | Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for the number of symptomatic individuals among 434 positive PCR Covid-19 cases. The authority refused to provide the information, stating it is not held by them and is instead managed by the Cabinet Office's Public Health team. | ||
| 2021-02-08 | Vaccine refusal | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on COVID-19 vaccine refusals broken down by invitation category, but the Department of Health and Social Care stated they do not hold this data as it is maintained by individual GP practices. | ||
| 2021-02-04 | St Andrews inspection | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the full external inspection report by St Andrews regarding Adult Learning Disabilities services. The Department of Health and Social Care provided the report but withheld specific sections containing personal data under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2021-01-29 | Estimated economic burden to Island's health service via CVD/Cancer. | Information not held |
| A request was made for the estimated economic burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer on the Isle of Man's health service, including direct costs, productivity losses, and informal care. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that the information is not held and cannot be found after reasonable steps. | ||
| 2021-01-27 | Statistics of children on care orders in the IOM. | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for annual statistics on children placed on care orders in the Isle of Man from 2009 to 2020. The Department of Health and Social Care provided data for 2010 through 2020 but confirmed that records for 2009 were not held. | ||
| 2021-01-27 | Actual / full costs of COVID 19 vaccination program | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the full actual and future costs of the Isle of Man's COVID-19 vaccination program, including staff wages, venue running costs, and storage expenses. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that it could not provide full actual costs due to ongoing uncertainty in the delivery model, instead providing approved budgets and estimated expenditures for specific areas. | ||
| 2021-01-26 | COVID-19/21, | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought information on SARS-CoV-2 isolation, PCR testing parameters, mask risk assessments, and flu death statistics. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed PCR details and internal mask assessments but stated the virus was not isolated or purified, while refusing to provide business-specific risk assessments and flu death numbers due to lack of held information. | ||
| 2021-01-26 | Vaccine Hubs | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for the total costs of creating three vaccine hubs on the Isle of Man, but the Department of Health and Social Care could only provide current known expenditures and estimates as final outturn costs were not yet available. | ||
| 2021-01-25 | Information regarding Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing use for Isle of Man samples. | All information sent |
| The request sought details on PCR testing kits, sensitivity, accuracy, and error rates used in the Isle of Man. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the manufacturer, cycle threshold, and accuracy percentages, but refused to provide specific figures for false positives and negatives citing lack of data. | ||
| 2021-01-21 | COVID-19 Testing Accuracy | All information sent |
| The requester asked for documentation on the specificity and sensitivity of COVID-19 testing procedures used on the Isle of Man in 2021. The Department of Health and Social Care responded by providing a document titled 'SARS-CoV-2 testing on the Isle of Man' and outlining the testing and notification process. | ||
| 2021-01-18 | COVID 19 case details | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details on whether seven specific COVID-19 cases in isolation on 17 January 2021 were household contacts or community contacts. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information, which is instead held by Public Health within the Cabinet Office. | ||
| 2021-01-18 | Children admitted to hospital for malnutrition | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on children admitted to hospital for malnutrition and those placed on child protection registers due to poverty between 2018 and 2021. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that it does not hold this information, citing practical refusal reasons under the Freedom of Information Act. | ||
| 2021-01-18 | National Insurance & Health Care | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Health and Social Care to explain the health and other services provided in exchange for National Insurance payments. The department refused the request stating they do not hold the information and directed the requester to the Department of Treasury. | ||
| 2021-01-11 | FOI request for 2020 Data for Notifiable Diseases | Information not held |
| A request was made for anonymised statistics on notifiable infectious diseases on the Isle of Man from 2015 to January 2021, specifically asking for COVID-19 to be segregated from other SARS cases. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information, noting it is held by the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2021-01-08 | Tele-psychiatry and Longitudinal Data | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for longitudinal data on the uptake and efficacy of Kooth and Quell tele-psychiatry services during the pandemic, but the authority only provided general mental health referral statistics for 2020 as specific service data was not held. | ||
| 2021-01-07 | All cause mortality numbers for last 10 years | Information not held |
| A request was made for all-cause mortality figures for Manx residents from 2010 to 2020 with monthly breakdowns, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the data as they do not hold it. | ||
| 2020-12-29 | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care for details on PPE spending, quantities, usage, and quality standards since the start of 2020. The authority disclosed the total cost, itemized quantities purchased and remaining, and confirmed that one delivery was rejected for not meeting standards. | ||
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