IOM Primary Schools - Overweight and Obese Pupil Data

Summary

The requester sought primary school pupil obesity data for years 2015-2020 and benchmarking figures, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested data on overweight and obese pupils.
• The information is held by Public Health within the Cabinet Office.
• The refusal was issued under Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The request referenced previous data provided in a House of Keys answer from June 2018.
• The requester was advised to re-submit the request to Public Health.

Data Disclosed

• 2015-2016
• 2016-17
• 2017-18
• 2018-19
• 2019-20
• 26th June 2018
• 3rd December 2020
• 4th December 2020
• 1587261
• Year R
• Year 6

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

In a written answer to a House of Keys question (26th June 2018 sitting) re weight issues in Reception Class children the Minister for Health and Social Care provided 2016-17 academic year data for each Island primary school namely the percentage of Year R pupils who were overweight, obese and overweight & obese - k180626.pdf (tynwald.org.im). I seek the same data broken down by individual primary school for the preceding and following academic years as follows (2015-2016 and 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20) together with benchmarked figures against other jurisdictions and any other data held relating to issues of overweight or obesity in other primary school Year groups (noting there was an intention to start recording such information for Year 6 pupils).

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

Tel: (01624) 642621 Email: dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 1587261 3rd December 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 3rd December 2020 and states:

“In a written answer to a House of Keys question (26th June 2018 sitting) re weight issues in Reception Class children the Minister for Health and Social Care provided 2016-17 academic year data for each Island primary school namely the percentage of Year R pupils who were overweight, obese and overweight & obese - k180626.pdf (tynwald.org.im). I seek the same data broken down by individual primary school for the preceding and following academic years as follows (2015-2016 and 2017- 18, 2018-19 and 2019-20) together with benchmarked figures against other jurisdictions and any other data held relating to issues of overweight or obesity in other primary school Year groups (noting there was an intention to start recording such information for Year 6 pupils).” While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (“the Department”) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. However you may wish to re-submit your request to Public Health within the Cabinet Office who may be able to help you. The information you have requested is held by Public Health. Please quote the reference number 1587261 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