Rheumatology Department

Summary

A request was made for five-year statistics on complaints and UK care transfer requests for the Rheumatology Department, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information as it is not held by them.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information regarding Rheumatology complaints or UK transfer requests.
• The authority suggests the requester contact Manx Care, as the information may be held by them.
• The refusal is based on the separation of policy setting (Department) and service delivery (Manx Care) established on 1 April 2021.
• The request was received on 3 March 2025 and the response was issued on 26 March 2025.
• The requester has the right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner if dissatisfied.

Data Disclosed

• 4484958
• 2025-03-04
• 2025-03-26
• 2021-04-01
• 5 years

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Over the past 5 years how many complaints have been submitted by patients or those waiting to be seen about the service they received from the Rheumatology Department on Island? How does this compare in relation to other Departments at Nobles? Over the past 5 years what percentage of patients under the Rheumatology Department on Island have requested their care be transferred to the UK?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4484958 26 March 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 3 March 2025, which states:

"Over the past 5 years how many complaints have been submitted by patients or those waiting to be seen about the service they received from the Rheumatology Department on Island? How does this compare in relation to other Departments at Nobles?

Over the past 5 years what percentage of patients under the Rheumatology Department on Island have requested their care be transferred to the UK?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact Manx Care who may be able to help you.

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 Man 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.

Please quote the reference number 4484958 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.