Report

Summary

A request was made for a Health Needs Analysis report on prisoner mental health conducted by Tamlyn Cairns Partnership for Manx Care, which was refused in full.

Key Facts

• The requested report was part of Rule 34 of the Coroners Act and started on 16 September 2024.
• Manx Care withheld the information citing prejudice to the effective conduct of public business.
• The authority determined that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the interest in disclosure.
• The report may be published at a future date, but no intention to publish was demonstrated at the time of the request.
• The request was formally closed on 21 August 2025.

Data Disclosed

• 4861385
• 16 September 2024
• 12 August 2025
• 21 August 2025
• 2025-08-22
• Rule 34
• Section 35(b)&(c)
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Section 35(b)&(c) – Conduct of public business

Original Request

Please can I request a copy of a report conducted at The IOM prison done by Tamlyn Cairns Partnership on behalf of Manx Care on Health Needs Analysis relating to the mental health needs of prisoners This was part of Rule 34 of the coroners act and was started on 16th September 2024

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 4861385 21 August 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 12 August 2025, which states:

"Please can I request a copy of a report conducted at The IOM prison done by Tamlyn Cairns Partnership on behalf of Manx Care on Health Needs Analysis relating to the mental health needs of prisoners

This was part of Rule 34 of the coroners act and was started on 16th September 2024"

Section 35(b)&(c) – Conduct of public business:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt under section 35 of the Act, as disclosure would be likely to otherwise prejudice the effective conduct of public business. Manx Care is satisfied that the nature of the report and discussions which are yet to take place between itself and the DHSC, such timely discussions are essential and need to be uninhibited with engaged participation of all stakeholders. In particular, any disclosure under the Act is deemed as a disclosure to the world rather than a disclosure to an individual requestor, and as such the information is uncontrollable once published.

Manx Care wishes to protect both the current and future due process, and in this instance, we are satisfied that disclosure would likely have an adverse effect on Manx Care's ability to fully meet these broader objectives and purpose. As section 35 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure: • Openness and transparency by disclosing the information sought.
• Accountability to the general public in respect of operational activities.
• Allow the public to scrutinise the actions of Manx Care and be held to account for the decision-making and reasoning behind its actions.

Factors in favour of withholding: • It is essential that Manx Care has a safe space in which to make decisions and conclude internal and external discussions, and disclosure may prejudice this and/or interfere with, detract or undermine this process. • Disclosure of the information is likely to impair future internal and external discussions on matters which are yet to be concluded. • The information could be misinterpreted at this time. • There is no evidence to suggest that disclosure of this information will serve a wider public interest at this time.

In taking these factors into account, Manx Care determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

In order to provide advice and assistance, the report may be published at a future date however at the time of your request, Manx Care could not demonstrate its intention to publish the report.

Please quote the reference number 4861385 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.