Waiting times at the ENT Clinic

Summary

A request for information regarding waiting times, clinic closures, and referral processes at the ENT Clinic was refused because the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the data, which is instead managed by Manx Care.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information on ENT clinic waiting times.
• The information is likely held by Manx Care, which is responsible for service delivery.
• The Department advises that FOI requests must be directed requests for information rather than questions.
• The Department was redesigned on 1 April 2021 following Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review.
• The requester was informed of their right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-09-29
• 2025-10-03
• 4962793
• 1 April 2021
• Section 11(3)a
• Section 15

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Is the operating Clinic of the department closed If so when will it reopen How many people are waiting 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years or more What initiatives will be introduced to reduce the waiting time for these clinics Is it acceptable to tell people on long waits to go to AE if their conditions worsen, What is an urgent referral how long do urgent referrals take to process Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Tim O’Neill (Interim) Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4962793 02 October 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 29 September 2025, which states:

"Is the operating Clinic of the department closed
If so when will it reopen

How many people are waiting 1 year

2 years
3 years
4 years or more

What initiatives will be introduced to reduce the waiting time for these clinics

Is it acceptable to tell people on long waits to go to AE if their conditions worsen,

What is an urgent referral how long do urgent referrals take to process

Thank 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.

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 the requester that any FOI request must be made in the form of a ‘directed request for information’ and not in the form of a question. Advice for the public on requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act can be found here https://iomportal.icasework.com/resource?id=37401.

Please quote the reference number 4962793 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.