Pcr and death certs

Summary

The requester asked for PCR CT settings history and the average age of death for COVID-19 cases on the Isle of Man. Manx Care directed the requester to a public website for the PCR settings but refused the death certificate data, stating they do not hold such records.

Key Facts

• The PCR CT setting on the Isle of Man is 40 and has not changed since March 2020.
• Manx Care does not hold death certificates or cause of death data.
• The requester was advised to contact the General Registry for death certificate information.
• The request was received on 2021-06-28 and responded to on 2021-07-26.
• The response cites Section 20 of the Act for the PCR data and Section 11(3)a for the death data.

Data Disclosed

• 40
• March 2020
• June 2021
• 2021-06-28
• 2021-07-26
• 1873689

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Act (Information reasonably accessible)
• Section 11(3)a of the Act (Practical refusal: information not held)

Original Request

"I would like to request the CT settings for the PCR test on the island from March 2020 - June 2021. I would like to have this data supplied weekly or when changes were implemented and why there was a change? I would also like to know the average age of death for all those who have covid as cause of death on their death certificate

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000

Our ref: 1873689 26th July 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 28 June 2021 and which states:

"Q1 I would like to request the CT settings for the PCR test on the island from March 2020 - June 2021. I would like to have this data supplied weekly or when changes were implemented and why there was a change? Q2 I would also like to know the average age of death for all those who have covid as cause of death on their death certificate"

Our Response

Q1 I would like to request the CT settings for the PCR test on the island from March 2020 - June 2021. I would like to have this data supplied weekly or when changes were implemented and why there was a change? While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information you have requested is available on the government website covid19.gov.im/general guidance/testing & results: Our PCR CT Setting is 40 and has not changed. The instructions are also accessible from the website.

Q2 I would also like to know the average age of death for all those who have covid as cause of death on their death certificate While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Care 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. Manx Care do not hold death certificates and consequently the cause of death. However you may wish to re-submit your request to the General Registry who hold death certificates and may be able to help you. Please quote the reference number 1873689 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.