Manx Care
44 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 543.2%
The Freedom of Information requests to Manx Care reveal an authority grappling with the dual pressures of pandemic-era scrutiny and systemic data limitations. A dominant theme is the reliance on the 'information not held' exemption, particularly regarding mortality data. In over a dozen cases (e.g., 1812503, 1994741, 2210085), Manx Care consistently refused to provide death statistics or cause-of-death breakdowns, stating they do not hold death certificates and directing requesters to the General Registry. This creates a significant blind spot in public understanding of health outcomes, as the authority holds admission and treatment data but claims no access to the final mortality records. Similarly, requests regarding the scientific specifics of the pandemic response (virus isolation, PCR thresholds) were met with clarifications that Manx Care does not perform these advanced procedures, effectively outsourcing the scientific narrative to UK laboratories while refusing to generate new data on adverse events.
Key Cases
Case 1786213 — Highlights a significant transparency gap where Manx Care refused to provide advertising authorizations, invoices, and payments under a 'practical refusal' exemption, despite disclosing the budget. This suggests potential opacity in how public funds are authorized and spent on marketing.
Case 2175541 — Reveals the massive financial reliance on agency and bank workers, providing a clear picture of the cost of staffing shortages. The inability to differentiate between nurses and HCAs due to shared finance codes also exposes weaknesses in the authority's financial tracking systems.
Case 2371715 — Directly addresses patient safety and accountability by disclosing 'Duty of Candour' incidents. The revelation of 20 incidents, including one escalated to a formal complaint, provides concrete evidence of systemic failures and the authority's response to them.
Case 1873690 — A pivotal case in the pandemic narrative where Manx Care explicitly stated they do not perform virus isolation procedures. This clarifies the scope of their laboratory capabilities and counters claims that they are hiding evidence of virus isolation, while simultaneously admitting they do not hold the data requested by skeptics.
Case 2082778 — Clarifies the financial relationship with the UK government regarding vaccines. By confirming the Isle of Man paid nothing for the vaccines themselves (provided free by the UK), it shifts the focus of public spending inquiries to administration and distribution costs rather than procurement.
Related FOI Stories
The 'Not Held' Defense on Mortality and Death Data — #1812503, #1812501, #1941281, #1988313, #1994741
Virology, PCR Protocols, and Vaccine Skepticism — #1845993, #1861725, #1873689, #1873690, #1880753
Financial Transparency and Spending — #1786213, #1799406, #1820933, #1943113, #2007297
Hospital Performance, Waiting Lists, and Staffing — #1782317, #1821533, #1838029, #1931457, #1940485
Data Compilation and System Limitations — #1786213, #1812503, #1820933, #1915369, #1919333
All (44)
All information sent (239) ·
Some information sent but not all held (82) ·
Information not held (71) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (44) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (22) ·
Not required to fulfill request (9) ·
Upheld - partial (5) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (4) ·
Not upheld (3) ·
Upheld - full (2) ·
Withdrawn (1) ·
Neither confirm or deny information held (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-26 | Brain Death | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked Manx Care for detailed protocols on brain death determination, organ donation statistics since 2011, and clinical procedures for organ retrieval. Manx Care responded that specific clinical guidance is already publicly accessible via an NHS link and provided a form regarding patient care, citing Section 20 of the Act to withhold the detailed information requested. | ||
| 2025-12-23 | Post Covid Synaptik cataract procedures | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for statistics and cost data regarding cataract procedures performed by Synaptik for Manx Care post-Covid. Manx Care disclosed the number of procedures and the duration of the contract but withheld cost information citing commercial sensitivity. | ||
| 2025-12-17 | Clarification of Enforcement of Sickness Policy | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to Manx Care for details on their sickness absence monitoring system, staff score distributions, corrective actions, and financial costs. The authority disclosed specific statistics and budget figures, while noting that general policy information is already publicly accessible on their website. | ||
| 2025-11-26 | ENT Incidents and Complaints | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-11-26 | Cost of reviews and reports | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a breakdown of Manx Care's spending on external reviews and reports since April 2021. The authority responded by providing data from previous Tynwald questions and a list of commissioned reviews for 2024/25 and 2025/26, noting that some information was withheld as it was already reasonably accessible. | ||
| 2025-10-23 | Number of recorded complaints | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-09-24 | Ghanaian recruitment and relocation packages | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to Manx Care for details on the recruitment of Ghanaian nationals and associated relocation packages from 2020 to 2025. The authority responded that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt, though the provided text cuts off before listing specific data or exemptions. | ||
| 2025-09-18 | Privatisation of Social Services | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for documents regarding the privatisation or outsourcing of Social Services functions since October 2021, to which Manx Care responded by releasing 64 pages of information while redacting parts under commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 2025-09-10 | Mental Heath off Island In patient Care for under 18 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for detailed statistics and costs regarding under-18s sent off-island for mental health care over five years. Manx Care disclosed the total cost but withheld individual case details and breakdowns due to data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2025-09-02 | Amount paid out in compensation since Manx Care came into being | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for total compensation paid by Manx Care for medical omissions and malpractice since its inception. The authority disclosed that the cumulative amount up to March 2025 remains unchanged at £4,604,072 and provided an additional figure of £578,219 for the period up to August 2025, citing that some data was already publicly accessible. | ||
| 2025-08-07 | Number of meningitis cases | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for monthly and age-grouped meningitis case data for the Isle of Man between July 2021 and July 2022. Manx Care disclosed the total number of cases (4) but withheld the specific breakdown to prevent the identification of individuals due to privacy concerns. | ||
| 2025-07-17 | FOI Request - RPA/RPS Correspondence and Private Practice Oversight | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence and oversight documents regarding private-practice imaging sessions at Manx Care from 2021 to present, but the authority provided a 2021 annual radiation safety report covering the period 2019-2021 instead, with part of the information exempt. | ||
| 2025-06-25 | Eye Clinic | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought average wait times and cancellation statistics for the Eye Clinic since June 2024. Manx Care disclosed monthly waiting list data and detailed breakdowns of appointment and session cancellations, while noting that current waiting times are already publicly accessible. | ||
| 2025-06-05 | Emails re: G/I/P | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for all emails sent by Manx Care between October 2023 and March 2024 containing the words 'Palestine', 'Gaza', or 'Israel'. The authority released a partial response containing a forwarded email chain regarding the Royal College of Occupational Therapists' decision to change their campaign title due to the conflict, while withholding other information. | ||
| 2025-05-27 | Contracts | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought employment contracts, compliance definitions, and data on salary overpayments and audits from Manx Care. The authority provided the contract and audit details but withheld specific overpayment statistics due to data sensitivity and directed the requester to a public website for compliance definitions. | ||
| 2025-05-19 | FCP PCN | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) service specification, funding, agreements, and staff salaries within Manx Care. The authority provided a pilot overview, job description, and operational model but withheld specific salary breakdowns and certain reimbursement agreements. | ||
| 2025-03-31 | Presentations or Briefings from Manx Care to the DHSC | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought presentations and briefing documents shared between Manx Care and the DHSC regarding service reductions in January-February 2025. Manx Care released a public communication detailing urgent financial measures and service suspensions but withheld specific briefing materials citing exemptions for personal data. | ||
| 2025-02-20 | Business Cases | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for business cases regarding children's therapy and respite services, and Manx Care disclosed minutes from an October 2024 review meeting discussing a revised business case for short breaks and residential services, as well as a patient engagement platform. | ||
| 2025-02-20 | Children with Complex Needs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought business cases for children with complex needs and the number of paediatric learning disability nurses; the authority disclosed a revised business case document detailing cost reductions and strategic changes but did not explicitly confirm the nurse count in the provided text. | ||
| 2025-01-28 | Correspondence regarding cuts | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for correspondence between Manx Care and the DHSC regarding service cuts from October 2024 to February 2025. Manx Care released 14 documents but redacted personal names and email addresses under data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2024-11-25 | Cost of top care agency staff | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-11-19 | Learning Disabilities Service Review - TOR | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the Terms of Reference and the name of the appointed organization for the Learning Disabilities Service Review. Manx Care disclosed a confidential outline proposal detailing the review methodology and phases but redacted the specific costs, timeline, and the full name of the appointed organization. | ||
| 2024-11-01 | Use of Agency Staff within Learning Disabilities Services | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for agency staff hours, costs, and qualification details for Learning Disabilities Residential Services in September and October 2024. Manx Care disclosed the hours and qualification status but withheld cost information citing commercial sensitivity. | ||
| 2024-10-14 | Meridian Productivity Ltd | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to Manx Care for details regarding the contract, procurement, and financial spend related to Meridian Productivity Ltd, including potential conflicts of interest and advice on saving schemes. The authority released some information, specifically excerpts from the Framework Agreement and Order Form requirements, but withheld other details under exemptions. | ||
| 2023-12-18 | Respite Allocation Toolkit & Decision Making | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought details on the review of the respite allocation framework, criteria for service reductions, and impact assessments for disabled children between October 2022 and 2023. Manx Care responded by providing a September 2023 referral toolkit and scoring matrix for respite services, though the outcome was noted as partially exempt. | ||
| 2023-08-22 | Closure of Cummal Mooar | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details regarding the decommissioning of Cummal Mooar, including meeting attendees, decision-makers, and mitigation measures. Manx Care provided excerpts for some questions but withheld information on attendees and decision-makers due to data protection exemptions and stated they could not locate records for mitigation measures and PSC notification. | ||
| 2023-08-02 | Regent dental care contract | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-03-29 | Hip and knee operations - Synaptik | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2022-12-02 | Data Protection breaches by Manx Care | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2022-10-24 | Cost of Manx Care | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2022-09-15 | Complaints made about NHS Dental practices | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought the number and nature of complaints against NHS dental practices on the Isle of Man over the last five years. Manx Care disclosed anonymized data for 2017 through 2021, detailing complaint counts per practice and specific reasons, though some information was withheld under exemptions. | ||
| 2022-09-13 | Fall Boosters for covid and seasonal flu | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on COVID-19 and flu booster vaccine distribution, dosages, and scheduling for various age groups in the Isle of Man as of September 2022. Manx Care disclosed vaccination statistics and booking numbers but cited Section 20 of the Act to withhold specific vaccine types and dates, directing the requester to their public website instead. | ||
| 2022-05-05 | Pharmacy services | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a breakdown of pharmacy services, remuneration details, and payment data for the last three years from Manx Care. The authority disclosed service volume statistics for the period April 2018 to March 2021 and a service specification document, but withheld specific remuneration details and full payment records citing partial exemptions. | ||
| 2022-04-26 | Medefer and Manx care privacy policy | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought privacy policies and data storage details regarding the contract between Manx Care and Medefer Limited. Manx Care responded by providing Medefer's Records Management Policy, which outlines data handling procedures, though the response indicates some information was exempt. | ||
| 2022-02-21 | Medefer | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought the contract, cost, and duration of the agreement between Manx Care and Medefer for virtual outpatient services. Manx Care disclosed the service details, contract length, and estimated cost, but withheld commercially sensitive and GDPR-specific information from the full contract document. | ||
| 2022-02-01 | Board Meetings | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for specific costs and details regarding Manx Care board meetings held at MNH, including venue rental and technical services. Manx Care withheld exact figures citing commercial prejudice but disclosed the number of meetings and provided cost ranges for the services. | ||
| 2021-12-15 | 2147702 Covid hospital numbers update | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought updated weekly COVID-19 admissions, monthly total hospital admissions, and stroke statistics for the Isle of Man. Manx Care provided the requested data covering periods from March 2020 through December 2021, with some figures extending into January 2022. | ||
| 2021-11-29 | Privacy of DNA data on PCR swabs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked Manx Care about the disposal of COVID PCR samples, legislation preventing their sale, and privacy policies. Manx Care confirmed that extracted RNA is destroyed within a week, primary samples are kept for less than a month, and they will never sell biological samples to third parties. | ||
| 2021-11-05 | covid query | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for monthly hospital admission and death statistics from 2018 to 2021, updated influenza and pneumonia data, and information regarding blood donation policies for vaccinated individuals. Manx Care provided the requested statistical tables and clarified that blood donation guidelines are publicly available, while noting that blood products are screened and filtered. | ||
| 2021-09-01 | Covid related | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked Manx Care about the isolation and purification of SARS-CoV-2, laboratory methods, and PCR testing costs. Manx Care clarified that they extract RNA for detection rather than isolate the virus, directed the requester to existing public information for lab methods, and disclosed specific spending figures for PCR tests. | ||
| 2021-07-20 | Covid related | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to Manx Care for specific data on vaccination status of active cases, hospital admissions, and deaths, as well as technical details on virus purification and test swab sterilization. The authority partially refused the request, citing practical refusal reasons for data that would require new programming, lack of information held for sterilization chemicals, and public availability for general vaccine questions. | ||
| 2021-06-28 | Pcr and death certs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for PCR CT settings history and the average age of death for COVID-19 cases on the Isle of Man. Manx Care directed the requester to a public website for the PCR settings but refused the death certificate data, stating they do not hold such records. | ||
| 2021-06-23 | Abortion service usage | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2021-06-23 | PCR manufacturer instructions | Some information sent but part exempt |