Cost spent on ME

Summary

The requester asked for a comparison of spending on Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) versus cancer, heart, and MS services over the last ten years, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide this financial data as it would require creating new analysis. The authority disclosed that only 7 patients with a primary ME diagnosis were recorded in the last decade, totaling 32 bed days.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request under Section 11(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The refusal was based on the principle that public authorities are not required to create, derive, or analyze information they do not already hold.
• In the last 10 years, there were 7 patients with a primary diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME).
• These 7 ME patients accumulated a total of 32 bed days over the 10-year period.
• The request was received on 13 February 2017 and the response was issued on 20 February 2017.

Data Disclosed

• 13th February 2017
• 20th February 2017
• 7 patients
• 32 bed days
• last 10 years
• Section 11 (2) (b)
• s8 (3)
• IM77816I

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11 (2) (b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (practical refusal reason)
• Section 8 (3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (no requirement to create or derive information)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Health and Social Care Rheynn Slaynt as Kiarail y Theay REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request dated 13th February 2017. You asked for: “I would like to know how much has been spent on ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) in comparison to cancer, heart and MS patients and services this year and in the last ten years” Response to your request: Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health & Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the specific information to answer your question and we must refuse this request under Section 11 (2) (b) of the Act - (practical refusal reason) referencing s8 (3), the Act states that: “a public authority is not required to create or derive information from information that it holds; undertake research into, or analysis of, information that it holds; or undertake substantial compilation or collation of information that it holds” To disclose the information requested would require the Department to undertake analytical research, not currently undertaken in order to disclose the requested financial data. To provide further context, within the last 10 years, Nobles patients with a primary diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) totalled 7 and accumulated a total of 32 bed days. 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 Chief Executive Malcolm Couch Department of Health & Social Care Chief Executive’s Office Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3QA Direct Dial No: (01624) 656071 Email: FOI.DHSC@gov.im
Website: www.gov.im/dhss Date: 20th February 2017 FOI Reference:
IM77816I Page 1 of 2 FOIA/DHSC/13

& 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 https://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 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: https://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

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FOIA/DHSC/13