Number of Island Residents using Patients Transfer.

Summary

The request sought statistics on patients transferred off the Isle of Man by air between February and April 2020, including those traveling for cancer treatment. The authority disclosed the total number of air transfers but refused to provide cancer-specific data due to the substantial compilation of information required.

Key Facts

• 904 patient transfers off the island via air were booked between 17 February 2020 and 12 April 2020.
• The disclosed figure represents individual transfers, meaning the same patient may have been counted more than once.
• The data excludes patients who traveled by sea and does not include the number of escorts.
• Information regarding the number of patients traveling for cancer-related purposes was withheld.
• The request was processed by the Department of Health and Social Care under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• 904
• 17th Feb 2020
• 12/04/2020
• 13 April 2020
• 1st May 2020
• 27 May 2020
• 1278745

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11 (3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (substantial compilation or collation of information)

Original Request

Could you tell me how many patients flew of Island using the Patients Transfer Service between 17th Feb 2020 & 13 April 2020? How many patients porpose for travelling was for cancer related?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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: 1278745 27 May 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 1st May 2020 and which states:

"Could you tell me how many patients flew of Island using the Patients Transfer Service between 17th Feb 2020 & 13 April 2020? How many patients purpose for travelling was for cancer related?" Response to your request While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. In response to your first question, I can confirm that the Patient Transfer office booked Nine hundred and four (904) transfers off island via air for patients to attend medical appointments in the UK between 17/02/2020 & 12/04/2020. This does not include the number of patients who travelled by sea. This number also does not include the total number of escorts and is the patient figure only. The same patient may have attended more than once during the time period so this is the number of actual transfers. However, for the second part of your request, in relation to ‘How many patients purpose for travelling was for cancer related?’ While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11 (3)(b) of the Act the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) would be required to undertake substantial compilation or collation of information that it holds. Which the DHSC is not required to do under the Act. Please quote the reference number 1278745 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