NHS Dentists

Summary

The requester asked for the number of people on the NHS Dentist waiting list and average wait times as of January 11, 2022. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the data, which is held by Manx Care, but provided a statistic for November 2021.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information on the NHS Dentist waiting list.
• The information is likely held by Manx Care following the 2021 restructuring of the health system.
• The Department confirmed there were 1825 people waiting for a dentist appointment as of November 2021.
• The request was received on 11 January 2022 and the response was issued on 7 February 2022.
• The refusal was based on Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• 11.01.2022
• 7 February 2022
• 11 January 2022
• 1 April 2021
• 1825
• November 2021
• 2187201

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Please confirm how many people are on the NHS Dentist waiting list as of 11.01.2022 and on average how long they have been waiting?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Karen Malone Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AE

Our ref: 2187201 7 February 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 11 January 2022 and which states:

"Please confirm how many people are on the NHS Dentist waiting list as of 11.01.2022 and on average how long they have been waiting?"

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 as it may be held by Manx Care. You may wish to re-submit your request to Manx Care which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you. To provide advice and assistance, the Department of Health and Social Care redesigned on 1 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Manx Health and Care System. This Review continues to be a catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the delivery of services by Manx Care. To provide further advice and assistance, the Department can confirm that there were 1825 people waiting for a dentist appointment as of November 2021.

Please quote the reference number 2187201 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.