Contact tracing app

Summary

A request was made for documents regarding a contact tracing app decision and the number of contact tracers, but the Department of Health and Social Care stated they do not hold this information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information on the contact tracing app.
• The contract tracing app function falls under Public Health, which is part of the Cabinet Office.
• The requester was advised to submit a separate FOI request to the Cabinet Office.
• The request was received on 4 March 2021 and responded to on 5 March 2021.
• The response cites Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• 2021-03-04
• 2021-03-05
• 1693277
• Section 11(3)(a)

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Disclosure of information pertaining to a decision on the use of a contract tracing mobile app. To specify, this includes; documents ie viability study; formal Public Health IOM Directorate opinion and prospective costs. Also could you advise of the current number of employees working as contact tracers.

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: 1693277 5 March 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 4 March 2021 and which states:

"Disclosure of information pertaining to a decision on the use of a contract tracing mobile app. To specify, this includes; documents ie viability study; formal Public Health IOM Directorate opinion and prospective costs. Also could you advise of the current number of employees working as contact tracers." Our Response: While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 11(3)(a) of the Act, the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. The contract tracing app is part of the function of Public Health. This Division forms part of the Cabinet Office. You may wish to submit a separate Freedom of Information request to the contact Cabinet Office who may be able to help you.

Please quote the reference number 1693277 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