Death rate after inpatient stay in mental health clients

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the specific information requested due to a lack of policy to maintain records after patient discharge.
• The authority is aware of 11 individuals aged 60 or under who were inpatients in 2015 and have since died.
• The provided figure of 11 deaths is correct as of 2nd June 2020.
• Deaths of individuals not known to the service at the time of death are not recorded on the patient database.
• The request was formally closed on 10 June 2020.

Data Disclosed

• 11
• 60 years old or under
• 2015
• 1st January 2015
• 31st December 2015
• 2nd June 2020
• 14th May 2020
• 10 June 2020
• 1290945

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(a) of the Act

Original Request

How many individuals 60 years old or under in 2015 who have been inpatients on the Island at a mental health facility in 2015 have since died.

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: 1290945 10 June 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 14th May 2020 and which states:

"How many individuals 60 years old or under in 2015 who have been inpatients on the Island at a mental health facility in 2015 have since died."

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 useful to know, that the Department is aware of eleven (11) individuals who were inpatients who have since died. The inpatients were residing at a mental health facility on the Island between 1st January and 31st December 2015, who were aged 60 years or under. This figure is correct as of 2nd June 2020. The Department does not have a policy to maintain records once an individual patient has been discharged from the Mental Health Service, so as such anyone who was not known to the service at the time of their death will not have the date of their death recorded on our patient database. Please quote the reference number 1290945 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