Alcohol related admissions

Summary

A request for alcohol-related hospital admissions, treatment completion rates, and mortality statistics was partially fulfilled by the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care. While data on treatment completions was released, admission and mortality figures were withheld due to planned future publication.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 10 February 2017 and responded to on 8 March 2017.
• Question 01 regarding hospital admissions was refused under Section 41 of the Act.
• Question 02 regarding treatment completion was answered with specific statistics for 2016.
• Question 03 regarding mortality rates was refused under Section 41 of the Act.
• The Drug and Alcohol Team utilizes a harm minimisation approach rather than strict abstinence.

Data Disclosed

• 11 patients
• 1st January 2016
• 31st December 2016
• 6 months
• 12 month period
• under 75

Exemptions Cited

• Section 41 (qualified exempt information for future publication)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Health and Social Care

Rheynn Slaynt as Kiarail y Theay

Page 1 of 2 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01

Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch Freedom of Information Team Department of Health & Social Care Chief Executive’s Office Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3QA Tel: Email: Website: Date: FOI Reference: (01624) 642621 foi.DHSC@gov.im www.gov.im/dhsc 08 March 2017 IM77-668i Dear
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request to the Department of Health and Social Care, dated 10 Feb 2017 Your request You asked for: Question 01: “The number of hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions in the Isle of Man (the most recent statistics available) (over a 12 month period)” Question 02: “Number of patients' who successfully completed alcohol treatment (alcohol free and did not represent within 6 Months). (the most recent statistics available) (over a 12 month period)” Question 03: “Mortality rates of alcohol related liver disease for adults aged under (75 the most recent statistics available) (over a 12 month period)” Response to your request While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested; the reasons and statutory exemption sections are shown as part of the corresponding answers below.

Question 01: The number of hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions in the Isle of Man (the most recent statistics available) (over a 12 month period)” While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested in Question 01 because an exemption under Section 41 (qualified exempt information for future publication) of the Act applies to that information. The information you have requested forms part of a publication to be released by the Department in the future.

Page 2 of 2 FOIA/DHSC/12 Question 02: Number of patients' who successfully completed alcohol treatment (alcohol free and did not represent within 6 Months). (the most recent statistics available) (over a 12 month period)” We are pleased to be able to provide a response to Question 02 of your request. The Department of Health and Social Care has found that in the 12 month period from 1st January 2016 – 31st December 2016, 11 patients were discharged from the Drug and Alcohol Team (DAT) as ‘completed alcohol treatment’, ‘situation improved’ or ‘resolved’ and did not re-present within a six month period.
The Drug and Alcohol Team work to a harm minimisation approach and not necessarily always abstinence. Some of the 11 patients may have decided that they were in a position to control their drinking i.e. social drinking at weekends and no longer wished help from the DAT Team, whilst others may be post-detox and abstinent from alcohol. Question 03: Mortality rates of alcohol related liver disease for adults aged under (75 the most recent statistics available) (over a 12 month period) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, the Department must refuse Question 03 of your request under Section 41 (qualified exempt information for future publication) of the Act, as the information you have requested forms part of a publication to be released by the Department in the future.
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 to the FOI Co-ordinator, Department of Health & Social Care, Chief Executive’s Officer, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3QA. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/how-to- make-a-freedom-of-information-request/ . 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: 01. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or
02. 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. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.inforights.im/information- centre/freedom-of-information. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours Sincerely

Freedom of Information Team Department of Health and Social Care