Cancer pathways dismissed with no contact

Summary

A request was made for statistics on cancer referrals downgraded without appointments for head and neck cancer, but the Department of Health and Social Care stated they do not hold this information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested data on downgraded cancer referrals.
• The information is likely held by Manx Care, the service delivery body.
• The Department was redesigned on 1 April 2021 following Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review.
• The redesign separated policy setting (Department) from service delivery (Manx Care).
• Applicants are advised to contact the Manx Care Information Governance Team before resubmitting.

Data Disclosed

• 4628593
• 2025-04-30
• 2025-05-06
• 1 April 2021
• 01624 642621
• 2WW/28day pathway

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

I would like to request how many people have been put on (2WW/28day pathway) for cancer that have had there referral downgraded without any appointments to confirm or deny head and neck cancer with the Head and neck department at the hospital.

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: 4628593 06 May 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 30 April 2025, which states:

"I would like to request how many people have been put on (2WW/28day pathway) for cancer that have had there referral downgraded without any appointments to confirm or deny head and neck cancer with the Head and neck department at the hospital."

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.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Duty to provide advice and assistance), due to the nature of the information you are requesting it might be of benefit to speak directly with the Manx Care Information Governance Team prior to submitting a second request. Their contact number is 01624 642621.

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 4628593 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.