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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-28 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Men who have sex with Men (MSM) and blood donations. | All information sent |
| The request sought the number of HIV-positive residents on the Isle of Man and the status of legislation regarding blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM). The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that 40 people are currently under care for HIV and confirmed that new testing protocols adopted recently will allow for a re-evaluation of MSM donation laws in 2021. | ||
| 2020-12-23 | Keyworker pathways | Information not held |
| The requester asked for all documents, versions, and approval processes regarding Keyworker pathways for border exemptions during the pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that they do not hold the requested information, citing a practical refusal, but noted that the Cabinet Office likely holds the data and provided a specific risk mitigation pathway for health and social care workers. | ||
| 2020-12-17 | Independence of the Independent Review Body for health complaints Part 1 | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Health and Social Care to classify the Independent Review Body (IRB) as a public body and provide correspondence regarding its independence from the Tynwald Ombudsman. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2020-12-17 | Independence of the Independent Review Body for health complaints Part 2 | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought details on consultations regarding NHS Regulations 2004, public consultation intentions, and specific information about a complaints training program initiated in December 2020. The authority responded that not all information was held, providing instead a generic medico-legal guide on the NHS complaints procedure in England rather than Isle of Man-specific documents. | ||
| 2020-12-17 | Abortions | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought monthly abortion statistics for 2020 and details on off-island travel requirements. The authority disclosed the total number of terminations for the year and the clinical pathway for travel but withheld monthly breakdowns and specific locations to protect patient confidentiality. | ||
| 2020-12-14 | Complaints about midwives on the ward | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for the number of complaints regarding midwives' conduct or attitude on the Jane Crookall Maternity Unit in 2020. The authority disclosed that there were 3 such complaints, all of which were addressed at the time. | ||
| 2020-12-03 | IOM Primary Schools - Overweight and Obese Pupil Data | Information not held |
| The requester sought primary school pupil obesity data for years 2015-2020 and benchmarking figures, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information. | ||
| 2020-12-03 | Consultation regarding GPs prescribing Cannabis | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details regarding an internal consultation with GPs about prescribing medical cannabis, specifically seeking the number of participants, questions asked, and responses. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the full content of the consultation email, the voting results, and specific feedback comments from the GPs. | ||
| 2020-12-01 | GP private consultation in regard to prescribing Cannabis to patients | All information sent |
| The requester asked for information regarding a government consultation with GPs on prescribing medicinal cannabis. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the content of an email sent to GPs and the resulting survey responses indicating low interest in prescribing. | ||
| 2020-11-30 | Request for copies of the ACMD Annual Reports | Information not held |
| The requester asked for ACMD Annual Reports from 2013 to 2020, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information. | ||
| 2020-11-23 | DHSC Annual Complaints Report 2017-2020 | All information sent |
| The requester asked for clarification on Nobles Hospital complaint figures, specifically regarding 'simple complaints' logged as concerns, and requested copies of DHSC policies and IRB report follow-ups. The authority responded by providing the full 'Complaints Policy and Guidance' document, which defines the distinction between formal complaints and informal concerns, but the provided text cuts off before answering the specific statistical questions or detailing IRB follow-up procedures. | ||
| 2020-11-20 | Government payments to the Media | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for details on government payments to media organizations since March 2020. The department responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2020-11-19 | Processing and Handling of FOI Request 1538749 | All information sent |
| The requester sought internal correspondence and draft responses regarding a previous FOI request (1538749) submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care. The authority disclosed the requested information with redactions applied to third-party personal data. | ||
| 2020-11-11 | Anxiety Medication Prescriptions | All information sent |
| The Department of Health and Social Care provided a complete dataset of anxiety medication prescriptions in the Isle of Man from 2017 to 2020, detailing item counts and costs for both GP and hospital settings. | ||
| 2020-11-10 | Covid-19 cancellations | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2020-11-09 | Presentation by Dr Rachel Glover | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for a copy of a presentation by Dr Rachel Glover regarding COVID-19 index cases and testing standards given to Isle of Man officials in October 2020. The Department of Health and Social Care stated they do not hold the document as it was not arranged by them, but provided a YouTube link where the presentation can be viewed. | ||
| 2020-11-02 | Anonymous letter from press conference 30 October 2020. | Information not held |
| A requester sought a copy of an anonymous letter read by the Minister at a press conference on 30 October 2020 regarding staff morale and media coverage of the testing regime. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that the information was not held because the original document had been destroyed. | ||
| 2020-11-02 | Covid19 Testing | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care for COVID-19 testing statistics as of the end of October 2020. The authority disclosed the total number of tests processed and the count of unique individuals tested. | ||
| 2020-10-19 | Medicinal Cannabis | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for the number of medicinal cannabis prescriptions issued and their reasons since legalization. The authority responded that no prescriptions have been issued by the department to date. | ||
| 2020-10-19 | Specialist doctors for the prescribing of medicinal cannabis | All information sent |
| A request was made for the names and addresses of specialist doctors on the Isle of Man authorized to prescribe medicinal cannabis following its legalization. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that no such specialist doctors exist within the department. | ||
| 2020-10-19 | Number of births during Covid19 | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought data on births during COVID-19 restrictions and trends in postnatal depression; the authority disclosed the number of births but refused the depression data as it was not held in a reportable format. | ||
| 2020-10-08 | Key Workers | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for copies of entry certificates issued to key workers under coronavirus regulations, but the Information Commissioner's Office did not uphold the complaint regarding the Department's response. | ||
| 2020-09-28 | Abortion belief refusals | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for monthly statistics on staff conscientious objections to abortion under the Isle of Man Abortion Reform Act 2019 since June 2019. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that no objections were recorded by nursing or medical staff, but confirmed they do not hold data regarding pharmacy staff objections. | ||
| 2020-09-17 | NHS Dentists | All information sent |
| The request sought the number of people on the NHS dental waiting list and average wait times in the Isle of Man. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that 1,540 patients were waiting as of September 2020, with 59% waiting between 6 months and a year, largely due to COVID-19 practice closures. | ||
| 2020-09-16 | Request for information regarding Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care for data on employee numbers and Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) policies and balances. The authority disclosed full-time and part-time employee counts and the TOIL policy but refused to provide specific data on TOIL balances and accrual times due to the cost of collating information. | ||
| 2020-09-14 | Information as regards transgender patients, costs, and healthcare | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for data on transgender healthcare services, costs, and patient numbers on the Isle of Man was partially fulfilled, with the Department of Health and Social Care disclosing that no on-island treatment is currently available while citing exemptions for missing data on specific costs and historical records. | ||
| 2020-09-11 | Tender document for Patient Transfer Service | Decision Notice - Complaint upheld |
| A request was made for the Invitation to Tender document for the Patient Transfer Service previously operated by Flybe, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused disclosure citing commercial interests. | ||
| 2020-09-02 | Vitamin D and Covid-19 Test Results | Upheld - partial |
| The applicant requested vitamin D test results for 2018-2020 and data linking vitamin D levels to COVID-19 outcomes. The Department of Health and Social Care initially refused both requests citing excessive work but partially upheld the request for historical vitamin D data during an internal review, while maintaining the refusal for COVID-19 linked data. | ||
| 2020-08-24 | Primary care figure for ME costs & funding for ME service | All information sent |
| The request sought primary care costs for ME and details on Treasury funding for an ME service from 2016 onwards. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that £90,000 was ring-fenced annually since 2017/18 but disclosed that no permanent service was established due to recruitment difficulties and COVID-19 restrictions. | ||
| 2020-08-13 | Cases of Unauthorised access to patients' at Noble's Hospital | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care regarding unauthorized access to patient data at Noble's Hospital over the past five years. The authority disclosed that two employees accessed data without entitlement but confirmed no dismissals occurred, while refusing to provide a breakdown of staff roles due to lack of held information. | ||
| 2020-08-10 | Independent Review Body ("IRB") - Healthcare Complaints | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for details regarding the Independent Review Body (IRB) for healthcare complaints, including staffing, costs, reports, and procedures. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the number of convenors and staff but refused to provide salary and expense details, citing that the information would need to be created or derived. | ||
| 2020-08-03 | Secondary Cancer | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for the number of Isle of Man residents with secondary cancer and details on medical responsibility; the authority disclosed care pathways but refused to provide statistics as the data is not routinely held. | ||
| 2020-07-28 | R&I Unit Policy on Management of complaints about regulated care servi | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for complaint records and investigation reports regarding Abbotswood Nursing Home and a review of the 2014 R&I Unit Policy. The Department of Health and Social Care withheld all requested information, citing exemptions related to confidential sources and ongoing investigations. | ||
| 2020-07-28 | Radiology department guidelines - 2012 to now | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for specific written guidelines governing MRI referrals and refusals at the Nobles Radiology department from 2012 to present. The Department of Health and Social Care explained the current vetting process and referral criteria but refused to provide historical written guidelines, stating they do not hold them as practice follows general medical standards. | ||
| 2020-07-27 | Condition Survey - Abbotswood Nursing Home | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought details regarding the commissioning, brief, notes, and distribution of a condition survey for Abbotswood Nursing Home. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that the survey was verbally commissioned by the Deputy Chief Executive (Governance) on 22 April 2020 but withheld the original brief and notes as they are held by the Department of Infrastructure. | ||
| 2020-07-27 | Abbotswood - Procedural framework for a Safeguarding response | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought minutes, notes, and updated versions of a safeguarding framework for Abbotswood approved by the DHSC Executive Team. The authority disclosed the meeting minutes and notes but withheld the updated document citing exemptions related to ongoing criminal investigations. | ||
| 2020-07-27 | R&I Unit Enforcement Policy and Procedure | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the R&I Unit's procedure for urgent suspension of adult care homes and the associated intervention plan under Section 89 of ROCA 2013. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating that no internal procedure exists as actions are taken on an individual basis, and the intervention plan is created and held by the care provider, not the Department. | ||
| 2020-07-24 | Conduct of Investigations - Training | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2020-07-15 | THE MEDICAL ADVICE AND ACTION ON THE BORDERS | Not upheld |
| The requester sought specific dates and documents regarding medical advice that led to the Isle of Man's border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to the formulation of government policy. | ||
| 2020-07-09 | Reports of Racism at Noble's Hospital | All information sent |
| A request was made for data on racism incidents, complaint procedures, and staff ethnicity at Noble's Hospital from 2011 to 2020. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed annual incident counts, detailed their disciplinary and training policies, and provided a breakdown of staff ethnicity based on voluntary self-declaration. | ||
| 2020-06-30 | Complaints and credentials - Scheduled Care at Nobles | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| The requester asked for employment dates, qualifications, and background history of doctors in specific specialties at Nobles Hospital since 2010. The Department of Health and Social Care provided lists of clinicians but withheld specific employment dates for historic records and all qualification/background data due to practical refusal exemptions. | ||
| 2020-06-30 | Complaints - DHSC | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought complaint statistics for specific medical specialties and clinician names from 2010 to 2020. The authority provided aggregated data for 2018-2020 but refused data for 2010-2018 due to system limitations and withheld clinician names citing personal data exemptions. | ||
| 2020-06-30 | Research and Development Manager | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought recruitment details for a Research and Development Manager role at the Department of Health and Social Care, but the authority disclosed a job description for a 'Research and Development Fellow' instead, noting that not all requested information was held. | ||
| 2020-06-09 | Influenza and Covid cases and deaths | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for total cases, deaths, and recoveries for Covid-19 and Influenza over the last five years. The Department of Health and Social Care stated it does not hold the requested influenza statistics, citing a practical refusal, but provided limited hospital admission data for Nobles Hospital while directing the requester to the Cabinet Office for official mortality and disease statistics. | ||
| 2020-05-29 | Number of juveniles detained in Secure unit for Covid-19 offences | All information sent |
| The request sought the total number of juveniles detained at the Isle of Man Secure Unit for breaches of Emergency Powers Regulations 2020 related to COVID-19. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that one young person was detained in the Secure Unit on two separate occasions, while others were held in non-secure facilities or bailed. | ||
| 2020-05-18 | Expol Contract or Terms of Reference for Abbotswood Inquiry | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2020-05-14 | Death rate after inpatient stay in mental health clients | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for the number of individuals aged 60 or under who died after being inpatients at a mental health facility in 2015. The Department of Health and Social Care stated it does not hold complete records but disclosed that it is aware of 11 such deaths as of June 2020. | ||
| 2020-05-14 | number of admission 60 years of under to acute mental health unit | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of patients aged 60 or under admitted to the Grianagh Court acute mental health unit in 2015. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed that there were 135 unique patients admitted during that calendar year. | ||
| 2020-05-13 | vaccine costs | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for total vaccine costs, issuance numbers, and specific pricing data for the Isle of Man over three years was partially fulfilled, with total costs disclosed but detailed administration and manufacturer data withheld as not held by the authority. | ||
| 2020-05-13 | Imuvac vaccine | Information not held |
| The applicant requested quantity, cost, and invoice details for Imuvac vaccine supplies over the last three years. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that they do not hold this information because GP practices purchase vaccines individually. | ||
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