Post Covid Synaptik cataract procedures

Summary

The requester asked for statistics and cost data regarding cataract procedures performed by Synaptik for Manx Care post-Covid. Manx Care disclosed the number of procedures and the duration of the contract but withheld cost information citing commercial sensitivity.

Key Facts

• Synaptik performed 2,150 cataract procedures for Manx Care patients.
• The procedures took place between March 2022 and July 2023, lasting approximately 74 weeks.
• Cost data for the procedures and associated administration was withheld.
• The exemption was applied because disclosure would prejudice Manx Care's commercial interests in future procurement.
• The public interest test concluded that maintaining the exemption outweighed the interest in transparency.

Data Disclosed

• 2,150
• March 2022
• July 2023
• 74 weeks
• S30 (2)(b)
• 5185405
• 2025-12-23
• 2026-02-18

Exemptions Cited

• S30 (2)(b) - Commercial sensitivity

Original Request

For the post Covid period when cataract procedures were carried out by Synaptik for Manx Care please supply - A) The total number of Manx Care patients treated by Synaptic for cataracts since Covid. B) The number of weeks post Covid that Synaptik spent carrying out cataract procedures on Manx Care's patients. C)The total number of individual eyes treated for Manx Care patients by Synaptik for cataracts since Covid. D) What was Manx Care's average cost of getting each eye treated by Synaptik including the cost of the lens ? E) The estimated average additional cost per eye of Manx Care's own administration, nursing and support costs for each Covid procedure carried out by Synaptik. Thanks for your enquiry re my FoI. It is my understanding that Synaptik started doing its cataract procedures for Manx Care in March 2022 so in case March is not correct then I suggest that you provide Synaptik figures from the 1st of January 2022 Please note that my request only refers to cataract procedures carried out by Synaptik and not any procedures that may have been carried out simultaneously by Manx Care.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 5185405 17 February 2026

Dear

We write further to your request, received 23 December 2025, which states:

"For the post Covid period when cataract procedures were carried out by Synaptik for Manx Care please supply -

A) The total number of Manx Care patients treated by Synaptic for cataracts since Covid.

B) The number of weeks post Covid that Synaptik spent carrying out cataract procedures on Manx Care's patients.

C)The total number of individual eyes treated for Manx Care patients by Synaptik for cataracts since Covid.

D) What was Manx Care's average cost of getting each eye treated by Synaptik including the cost of the lens ?

E) The estimated average additional cost per eye of Manx Care's own administration, nursing and support costs for each Covid procedure carried out by Synaptik.

Thanks for your enquiry re my FoI.

It is my understanding that Synaptik started doing its cataract procedures for Manx Care in March 2022 so in case March is not correct then I suggest that you provide Synaptik figures from the 1st of January 2022

Please note that my request only refers to cataract procedures carried out by Synaptik and not any procedures that may have been carried out simultaneously by Manx Care."

Response

A. The total number of Manx Care patients treated by Synaptic for cataracts since Covid. During this period they undertook 2,150 cataract procedures of varying complexity.

B. The number of weeks post Covid that Synaptik spent carrying out cataract procedures on Manx Care's patients. A Synaptik ophthalmic team undertook cataract procedures in collaboration with Manx Care colleagues between the beginning of March 2022 and the end of July 2023 (approx. 74 weeks).

C. The total number of individual eyes treated for Manx Care patients by Synaptik for cataracts since Covid. During this period they undertook 2,150 cataract procedures of varying complexity.

D. What was Manx Care's average cost of getting each eye treated by Synaptik including the cost of the lens? E. The estimated average additional cost per eye of Manx Care's own administration, nursing and support costs for each Covid procedure carried out by Synaptik.

In relation to Questions D and E - S30 (2)(b) has been applied due to commercial sensitivity. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemption s30 (2)(b) has been applied because: Disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interest of Manx Care. As section 30 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 Transparency in spending of public funds

Factors in favour of withholding They are a company listed on NHS SBS and other frameworks and therefore disclosure of any pricing model to their business is detrimental to them, as it would disadvantage them to their competitors.

Public interest in Manx Care remaining competitive in future procurement.

The need to protect the commercial interests of Manx care and ensure value in spending public funds.

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.

Please quote the reference number 5185405 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.

Yours sincerely