Covid-19 Deaths

Summary

The requester asked Manx Care for a breakdown of deaths 'by' versus 'with' Covid-19, but the authority refused the request stating they do not hold death certificates.

Key Facts

• Manx Care does not hold death certificates.
• The request was refused under Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The requester was advised to contact the Cabinet Office for the information.
• The request references a previous FOI (1919133) that found 10 deaths via death certificate review.
• The authority suggested the Weekly Public Health Surveillance Reports as an alternative source.

Data Disclosed

• 2007297
• 1919133
• 10 deaths
• 2021-09-24
• 2021-10-20
• Section 11(3)a

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Hello. Please can I request an update to freedom of information request 1919133 which is about a break down of deaths 'by' vs 'with' covid-19. This is in response to the 10 deaths found by reviewing death certificates. The first F.O.I. request was made to the department of social care, but this now falls under the jurisdiction of Manx Care.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 2007297 20th October 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 24th September 2021 and which states:

"Hello. Please can I request an update to freedom of information request 1919133 which is about a breakdown of deaths 'by' vs 'with' covid-19. This is in response to the 10 deaths found by reviewing death certificates. The first F.O.I. request was made to the department of social care, but this now falls under the jurisdiction of Manx Care."

Our Response 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. We do not hold death certificates. The previous request you refer to, FOI 1919133, was to the Cabinet Office who released some information to you. You may wish to raise your request with them for the new information that you require. You may also find the Weekly Public Health Surveillance Reports useful and can be found at www.gov.im/cabinet-office/public-health/health-intelligence/covid-19-weekly-surveillance- report/ Please quote the reference number 2007297 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.