Deaths

Summary

The requester asked for monthly 2019 statistics on deaths from hospital-acquired pneumonia and seasonal respiratory viruses, as well as hospitalizations for flu-like symptoms. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request, stating they do not hold the mortality data and are not required to create the hospitalization statistics.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2020-03-23 and responded to on 2020-05-28.
• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold mortality statistics for the requested causes of death.
• Mortality statistics are collected by the Department of Public Health within the Cabinet Office.
• The department is not required to create or derive information to answer the question regarding hospitalizations.
• The request was handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• 2019
• 2020-03-23
• 2020-05-28
• 1242681

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)
• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Not required to create or derive information)

Original Request

How many deaths were recorded in the Isle of Man, per month, in 2019 from: 1. Hospital acquired pneumonia 2. Seasonal respiratory viruses How many hospitalisations were there in the island per month in 2019 where patients were recorded as displaying flu like symptoms?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA (01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc Our ref: 1242681 28 May 2020

Dear ###

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request which was received on 23rd March 2020 and which states:

"How many deaths were recorded in the Isle of Man, per month, in 2019 from: 1. Hospital acquired pneumonia 2. Seasonal respiratory viruses 3.How many hospitalisations were there in the island per month in 2019 where patients were recorded as displaying flu like symptoms?" Response to your request

In relation to Questions 1&2 - While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested; the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the information that you have requested (Section 11(3)(a) of the Act). However, you may find it helpful to know that the Department of Public Health collect mortality statistics for the population of the Isle of Man. This Government Department forms part of the Cabinet Office. Therefore you may wish to contact the Cabinet Office with your request who may be able to help you. In relation to Question 3 - While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3)(b) of the Act, complying with your request for information would require Department of Health and Social Care to create or derive information that it holds, which Department of Health and Social Care is not required to do under the Act. For this reason the Department of Health and Social Care is not obliged to comply with your request. Please quote the reference number 1242681 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely