Request
I am completing an academic research project on hospitalization rates, focusing on how local primary care initiatives can be focused based on different needs. The objective of my thesis is to find methods to improve the quality of care of children in UK general practice.
To determine the ideal method to analyze the hospital admissions, information on which government Local Health Authorities (LHA's) are co-terminous (that is, have the same geographic boundaries) with the Strategic Health Authority Primary Care Trusts (PCT's) is very important information.
If possible, I am requesting a list of all the Primary Care Trusts in the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority and which PCT's are co-terminous with LHA's. It is my understanding that after the re-structuring in 2006, over 70% of PCT's are co-terminous with LHA's.
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of NHS East Midlands Primary Care Trusts.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold some of the information that you have requested.
However, we are of the opinion that the exemption available to us under Section 21of the FOIA applies to the information that you have requested. Section 21 relates to information that is already reasonably accessible to the applicant.
Nevertheless, Section 16 of the FOIA places a duty on us to provide help and assistance where necessary. I have therefore provided you with a link to our website that will enable you to view all NHS East Midlands PCTs and other constituent organisations.
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/the-local-nhs/nhs-organisations/
I have also included a link to an NHS East Midlands area map, so that you can see all of the relevant geographic boundaries.
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/the-local-nhs/
The ‘About Us’ section of our website will provide you with a brief history and useful background information in respect of NHS East Midlands.
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/about-us/
NHS East Midlands works in partnership with a number of other organisations including the Government office for the East Midlands and local authorities. Further details of these organisations can be found via the link below, but you may need to contact them separately for further information in respect of geographic boundaries.
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/partners/
You refer to ‘Local Health Authorities’ (LHAs) in your request. However, LHAs do not exist within the structure of the NHS. The Department of Health controls England’s 10 Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs), of which NHS East Midlands is one, which oversee all NHS activities in England. In turn, each SHA supervises NHS trusts in its geographic area. The link below will direct you to the NHS Choices website where you will be able to find further details of the structure of the NHS.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Pages/NHSEngland.aspx
I hope that this information is of use. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to review our decision by writing to:-
Mr Kevin Orford
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance
NHS East Midlands
Octavia House
Interchange Business Park
Bostock's Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham
NG10 5QG
If at the conclusion of any review you remain dissatisfied you may complain to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:-
The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
