Manx Care
483 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 49.5%
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 (483)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-10-28 | The top 100 earners | All information sent |
| A request was made for the top 100 earners at Manx Care for the 2023-2024 financial year, specifying roles and pay amounts without names. The authority fully complied, providing a table of gross pay figures and job types for all 100 individuals. | ||
| 2024-10-16 | Elective surgeries on hold | Information not held |
| A request was made for a list of elective surgical procedures cancelled due to recent budget cuts, but Manx Care responded that no such list exists as they have maintained operating times despite reduced theatre sessions. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-10-09 | Cataract operations | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for statistics on cataract waiting lists, operation averages, and protocols for second-eye surgery. The authority confirmed the request was received and stated that all information was sent, though the specific data values are not included in the provided text. | ||
| 2024-10-04 | Cost cutting schemes | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2024-09-19 | Learning Disability Services Staffing | All information sent |
| The requester sought staffing, capacity, occupancy, and waiting list data for Manx Care's learning disability residential and day services for 2021-2023. Manx Care responded by providing full-time equivalent (FTE) staff numbers and capacity figures for various residential homes, noting the closure of one facility in 2023. | ||
| 2024-09-18 | Learning Disability Residential Care | All information sent |
| The requester sought policies on non-essential activities and staffing directives for learning disability residential care, receiving minutes and reports detailing severe staffing shortages, a recruitment freeze, and operational risks instead of specific policy documents. | ||
| 2024-09-17 | Children's Services Short Breaks (Respite) Review | All information sent |
| A request was made for the independent children's short breaks (respite) review, its recommendations, and terms of reference commissioned by Manx Care. The authority responded by releasing all requested information, including the review by Disability Awareness and the specific terms of reference. | ||
| 2024-09-09 | Temporary Workers Employed via Agencies | Information not held |
| A request was made to Manx Care for the number of temporary workers engaged via third-party agencies in 2023 and 2024, broken down by grade. The authority refused to provide the information, stating that compiling the data would require substantial effort not mandated by the Act. | ||
| 2024-09-03 | Use of off-Island recruitment agencies | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for specific data on Manx Care's use of off-island recruitment agencies since April 2021, including frequency, costs, and tender processes. The authority responded by providing a general recruitment guidance framework rather than the specific historical data requested, noting that some information was not held. | ||
| 2024-09-02 | Amount of referrals to CAMHS over the past five years | All information sent |
| 2024-08-29 | Managers | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the total spend on managers, admin staff, nurses, and porters for 2023/2024, but Manx Care stated they do not hold data classified under these specific categories. The authority provided a breakdown of how employment costs are actually categorized by terms and conditions instead. | ||
| 2024-08-06 | Cost of translators | Information not held |
| A request was made to Manx Care for data on translator costs, languages used, and employment numbers over the last five years. The authority refused the request, stating that the information is not held. | ||
| 2024-07-23 | Care and respite for families of children with complex needs | All information sent |
| The request sought data on respite and care services for school-age children with complex needs, to which Manx Care provided waitlist figures and capacity details for specific centers but refused to disclose data on home-based services as it is not held by the authority. | ||
| 2024-07-22 | PPE Total Spend | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for total Covid-19 PPE spend from January 2020 to July 2024, but Manx Care could only provide data from its inception in April 2021 to June 2024, noting that earlier records are held by the Department of Health and Social Care. The authority disclosed total PPE spend figures but clarified that these include both Covid-related and business-as-usual items. | ||
| 2024-07-16 | Children's & Families Disabilities | All information sent |
| The requester asked for statistics on children's disability services and the criteria for case closure, to which Manx Care responded by providing a detailed decision-support tool and referral form rather than the specific numerical data requested. | ||
| 2024-07-10 | DHSC and Manx Care's powers in 2020 in respects of private dentists | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the legislation under which Manx Care officials visited a private dental surgery on 3 September 2020. Manx Care disclosed that the visit was conducted under two specific sets of Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) Regulations from 2020. | ||
| 2024-07-03 | Summerhill View | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the contract value, tender applicant numbers, and a copy of the contract for Summerhill View care home. Manx Care disclosed the tender applicant breakdown and explained the contract value calculation method but refused to provide the specific contract value or the contract document itself as they were not yet finalized or held. | ||
| 2024-07-03 | Covid vaccine numbers update request - July 2024 | Information not held |
| The requester asked for updated statistics on the number of individuals receiving specific doses (1st through 8th) of the Covid-19 vaccine on the Isle of Man. Manx Care refused to provide the specific dose breakdown because the data is no longer recorded in that format, but disclosed the total number of booster doses administered since the previous request. | ||
| 2024-06-26 | IOM National Cancer treatment waiting times | All information sent |
| The requester asked Manx Care for data on whether specific cancer treatment waiting time targets were being met and for details on the risks associated with missing these targets. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent, though the provided text only contains the closing administrative letter and not the actual data. | ||
| 2024-06-25 | Air ambulance donations | All information sent |
| The requester asked for policies, oversight details, and five years of financial data regarding Isle of Man air ambulance donations. Manx Care disclosed that the service is taxpayer-funded and charities handle donations, providing a list of donation expenditures from the last two years instead of the requested five-year financial breakdown or policies. | ||
| 2024-06-25 | CQC Inspections of Nobles Hospital | Information not held |
| A request was made for details regarding the next CQC inspection and rating timeline for Nobles Hospital, but Manx Care refused to provide the information as it is held by the Department of Health & Social Care. | ||
| 2024-06-24 | Information regarding IT hacks/cyber attacks at Hillside Dental | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details on cyber attacks and data breaches at Hillside Dental before and after Manx Care took over, specifically regarding an IT issue in February 2024. Manx Care responded that no cyber attacks have occurred since they managed the practice and they are unaware of any prior attacks. | ||
| 2024-06-18 | Deaths in Hospital | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for statistics on hospital deaths in 2022, 2023, and 2024, including breakdowns by day of the week and hospital location. The authority disclosed all requested information, providing total counts, daily splits, and specific data for Nobles and Ramsey hospitals. | ||
| 2024-06-17 | Top 10 most prescribed drugs 23/24 | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for the top 10 most prescribed drugs and their costs for the 2023/24 financial year. The authority fully disclosed the data, listing the specific medications, item counts, and total actual costs for each. | ||
| 2024-06-04 | Dental Waiting List Crisis | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care regarding the current size of the dental waiting list and the longest wait time for an individual. The authority disclosed that as of May 2024, over 5,000 people were on the list, with the longest wait exceeding four years. | ||
| 2024-05-30 | SARC Referral Centre query | Information not held |
| A request was made for annual user statistics of the Isle of Man's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) since its opening. Manx Care responded that the information is not held because the facility is not yet fully operational and the building is under construction until May 2025. | ||
| 2024-05-27 | Gender bias in healthcare staff towards female patients and relatives | All information sent |
| The requester asked Manx Care for surveys, reports, training materials, and policies regarding gender bias in healthcare. The authority responded by providing training materials focused on unconscious bias, including definitions, types, effects, and strategies for reduction, rather than specific gender bias surveys or reports. | ||
| 2024-05-02 | External Review into Day Services undertaken by Jan Lawry | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the 2023 external review of day services for adults with learning disabilities and the resulting actions, which Manx Care fully disclosed by providing the report and a summary table of findings and progress. | ||
| 2024-04-30 | Children in Secure Accommodation. | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made to Manx Care for annual statistics on children held in Cronk Sollysh secure accommodation from 2014 to 2024, covering remand, sentencing, police requests, and looked-after status. The authority provided partial data for total children, repeat admissions, and looked-after children, but refused the request regarding police custody for court attendance due to lack of records. | ||
| 2024-04-18 | Cost of medicines | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the total cost of medicines, appliances, and medical devices purchased by Manx Care in 2023 and 2018. Manx Care provided the 2023/24 financial year figure but refused the 2018 request because the organization did not exist at that time. | ||
| 2024-04-17 | board minutes and website omissions | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for a list of Manx Care board and committee meetings and an explanation for missing minutes on the website, specifically citing the 26th July 2022 gap. Manx Care provided a partial list of meetings with attendee details and committee reports but did not address the specific explanation for website omissions or the whistleblower context. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Opioid treatment following overdoses query | Information not held |
| 2024-04-16 | Antibiotic Resistance within the Isle of Man | All information sent |
| A researcher requested data on antibiotic resistance rates within the Isle of Man general public for a dissertation. Manx Care responded by sending all requested information, noting that patient counts across different years may overlap. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | Cardiac issues | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for statistics on cardiac arrests and atrial fibrillation admissions between 2015 and 2024, including causes and age breakdowns. The authority disclosed that all requested information was provided, detailing specific admission counts and referring to an annex for granular data on causes and demographics. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | Covid stats | All information sent |
| The requester asked Manx Care for details on COVID-19 statistical criteria, symptomatic patient counts, and pathogen category downgrades. Manx Care confirmed statistics were based on PCR/TMA tests only, stated they do not hold data on symptomatic classifications or untested hospital cases, and clarified that SARS-CoV-2 was never downgraded to Category 2. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | Air Ambulance | All information sent |
| 2024-04-15 | Staff who live off Island | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for detailed statistics and cost breakdowns regarding civil servants and direct employees living off the Isle of Man. The authority refused to disclose any information, stating they do not hold the requested data. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | Cancer diagnosis | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for statistics on hospital admissions involving malignant cancer, history of cancer, and COVID-19 infections between 2015 and 2024, including age breakdowns. The authority disclosed that all requested information was sent, providing specific counts of patient spells and referencing supporting documentation for detailed yearly and age group data. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | Dvt | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Care for annual statistics on DVT and thrombocytopenia cases, including age demographics, between 2015 and 2025. The authority responded by stating that all requested information had been sent and closed the case. | ||
| 2024-04-11 | Taxa Genomics | Information not held |
| A request was made for payment details and work descriptions for Taxa Genomics between 2020 and 2024, but Manx Care responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2024-04-09 | IBD population | Information not held |
| A request was made to Manx Care for the number of patients with specific Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) codes at each GP surgery to aid service development. The authority responded that the information is not held and cannot be found after reasonable steps. | ||
| 2024-04-04 | Average time to complete NARRATES | All information sent |
| 2024-04-01 | Clinical Advisory Group minutes | All information sent |
| The requester asked for Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) minutes, membership details, and specific information regarding discussions on COVID vaccine injuries. The authority, Manx Care, disclosed all requested information, providing 96 documents totaling 402 pages, including agendas and a detailed NHS plan on Long COVID. | ||
| 2024-03-28 | Unpublished FOI requests | All information sent |
| 2024-03-14 | Reasoning behind stopping the use of capsule endoscopy for Gastro case | All information sent |
| 2024-03-14 | Waiting times for Blood Transfusions | All information sent |
| 2024-03-08 | Patient care in the uk | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a detailed breakdown of costs for transferring patients to the UK for treatment over the last 12 months, but Manx Care stated they do not hold this specific information. However, the authority disclosed the total spend on fixed-wing Air Ambulance Services for patient transfers between April 2023 and February 2024. | ||
| 2024-03-06 | Miscarriage/stillbirth figures | All information sent |
| The requester asked for monthly and yearly figures of miscarriages and stillbirths on the Isle of Man from 2018 to the present. Manx Care withheld detailed breakdowns due to privacy concerns but disclosed the total number of recorded miscarriages for the period. | ||
| 2024-03-05 | Patients on DUPILUMAB | No information sent - all held but exempt |
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