Patient transfers; Contract - Minster's company

Summary

The requester asked for statistics on patient transfers to the UK and details regarding a contract with Manx Home Care, a company where the Minister is a director. The Department of Health and Social Care provided transfer statistics but stated they did not hold the requested contract files, suggesting the Treasury be contacted instead.

Key Facts

• There were 10,405 patient trips from the Isle of Man to the UK for treatment in the financial year April 2016/17.
• The Department does not hold the contract files for Manx Home Care and suggested contacting the Treasury.
• Zero official complaints were received by the Department regarding the Manx Home Care contract at the time of the request.
• The request regarding waiting lists was withdrawn by the requester.
• Staff requiring treatment in the UK are included in the total patient trip figures.

Data Disclosed

• 10,405
• April 2016/17
• 0
• 31st August 2017
• 08 October 2017
• 17 November 2017

Original Request

Patient transfers; Contract - Minster's company

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Health and Social Care

Rheynn Slaynt as Kiarail y Theay

Page 1 of 3 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01 Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch

By email:

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 17 November 2017 IM105-985i

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 08 October 2017 Your request You asked for: Question 01: “How many patients and staff were flown from the island to the UK for treatment, and medics returning to the UK including consultants and civil servants and politicians and the same for returning or coming to the island for the last 12 months”

This question was revised by the requester to the following: “How many patients and staff were flown from the island to the UK for treatment for the last 12 months?” Question 02: “Of the waiting lists you have for treatments can you supply these.”

This question was subsequently withdrawn by the requester. Question 03: “Is the Company the Minister is a Director of still retained by the Department for providing care in the community. Could I have a copy of the file as it relates from the procurement and up to the 31st August 2017”

Following a request to clarify this question, you confirmed the following: The company referred to is “Manx Cleaners Ltd, t/a Manx Home Care”; and that the file was to refer to “a copy of any document that relates to the contract” Question 04: “In relation to the above Contract has the Department received any complaints the Department have received and dealt with and if so can I have a copy of the papers relating to the complaint, accepting names will be redacted.”

Page 2 of 3 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01 Response to your request We are pleased to be able to provide a response to your request with answers to some of your questions; 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 statutory exemption sections are shown as part of the corresponding answers below. Question 01: How many patients and staff were flown from the island to the UK for treatment for the last 12 months? In response to Question 01, for the financial year April 2016/17 there were a total of 10,405 patient trips from the Isle of Man to the UK for treatment funded by the Department. This figure will include patients who may have needed to travel more than once to the UK. The criteria and requirements for staff requiring treatment in the UK are the same as for anyone else and therefore their numbers would be included in this total. Question 03: Is the Company [t/a Manx Home Care] the Minister is a Director of still retained by the Department for providing care in the community. Could I have a copy of the file [any document that relates to the contract] as it relates from the procurement and up to the 31st August 2017? While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the information that you have requested. However, you may wish to contact Treasury, who may be able to help you.
Question 04: In relation to the above Contract has the Department received any complaints the Department have received and dealt with and if so can I have a copy of the papers relating to the complaint, accepting names will be redacted? In response to Question 04, at the time of this request the Department received 0 official complaints in relation to the above contract.

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:

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

Page 3 of 3 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01 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