amount of children being caused harm by British Hospital

Summary

A request was made for statistics on Manx children treated at UK hospitals and those who suffered harm, specifically medication overdoses, since 2010. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information, stating it is not held by them and may be held by Manx Care.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information regarding children sent to Alder Hey or Great Ormond Street Hospitals.
• The information may be held by Manx Care, which is responsible for service delivery following the 2021 redesign of the health system.
• The Freedom of Information Act 2015 applies only to information created on or after 11 October 2011.
• The request was received on 24 June 2025 and the outcome was issued on 3 July 2025.
• The requester is a parent of a child born since 2010 who allegedly suffered a medication overdose at one of the named hospitals.

Data Disclosed

• January 2010
• 24 June 2025
• 3 July 2025
• 11 October 2011
• 1 April 2021
• 4749974

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Can you please tell me how many Manx children or children born to Manx parents have been sent to AlderHey Childrens Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital since January 2010? I would also like to know how many if any of these children have suffered harm at the hands of either of these hospitals. For example how many children have had medication overdoses since January 2010 until today. I am making this request as a parent of a child born since 2010 that has had a medication overdose at the hands of the nurses at one of these hospitals and would like to see if there are any others.

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: 4749974 25 June 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 24 June 2025, which states:

"Can you please tell me how many Manx children or children born to Manx parents have been sent to AlderHey Childrens Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital since January 2010? I would also like to know how many if any of these children have suffered harm at the hands of either of these hospitals. For example how many children have had medication overdoses since January 2010 until today. ** REDACTED ** ’

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.

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), the Department must advise you that under Section 4(1) of the Act (Application), the Act applies in relation to information created on or after 11 October 2011.

Please quote the reference number 4749974 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.