Dental Waiting List Crisis

Summary

A request was made to Manx Care regarding the current size of the dental waiting list and the longest wait time for an individual. The authority disclosed that as of May 2024, over 5,000 people were on the list, with the longest wait exceeding four years.

Key Facts

• As of 31st May 2024, there were 5,169 people on the dental allocation list.
• The longest period an individual has been on the list is 1,611 days.
• The individual with the longest wait was added to the list in January 2020.
• The request was received on 4th June 2024 and responded to on 11th July 2024.
• The response contrasts current figures with a previous count of five people from five years prior.

Data Disclosed

• 5,169
• 1,611
• 31st May 2024
• January 2020
• 4th June 2024
• 11 July 2024
• FOI 2247701
• 3902745

Original Request

Given that just five years ago, in June 2024 there were just FIVE people on the Manx dental waiting list (Ref: FOI 2247701) as of today, 4th June 2024: a) How many people are on the dental waiting list? b) What is the longest period of time (in days) that an individual has been on the list and what date were they added? Gura mie ayd.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 3902745 11 July 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 4 June 2024, which states:

"Given that just five years ago, in June 2024 there were just FIVE people on the Manx dental waiting list (Ref: FOI 2247701) as of today, 4th June 2024:

a) How many people are on the dental waiting list?

b) What is the longest period of time (in days) that an individual has been on the list and what date were they added?

Gura mie ayd."

Our response to your request is as follows, I have detailed below the information that is being released to you:

A) As of 31st May 2024 there are 5,169 people on the dental allocation list.

B) The longest period of time that an individual has been on the list in days is 1,611 and that individual was added to the dental allocation list in January 2020.

Please quote the reference number 3902745 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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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.

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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.