Request
The attached file shows the data we hold in relation to practice based commissioners in your SHA area. We would be grateful if you could:
a) Complete and amend the information, deleting any commissioners which no longer exist, adding any which are not included and completing any missing information.
b) Answer the questions below as fully as possible:
i) Do you expect any changes to the composition of PBC consortia as GP commissioning federations are formed?
ii) Do you expect any of your practice based commissioners to apply for GP commissioner pathfinder status and if so which ones?
iii) Do any of your PCTs intend to transfer commissioning responsibility to GPs ahead of the timetable set out in the White Paper Equity and Excellent – Liberating the NHS and if so which ones?
If any of this information has already been published, please provide a link to the relevant web page(s).
Our Response
I refer to your email of 1 November 2010 requesting information in respect of Practice Based Commissioning and GP Consortia.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do not hold all of the information that you have requested.
I will address each of your queries in turn:
a) Complete and amend the information, deleting any commissioners which no longer exist, adding any which are not
included and completing any missing information.
NHS East Midlands does not hold the necessary up to date information to enable us to amend the information that you have provided. However, local Primary Care trusts may be able to assist you with this query and you can contact them via the link to our website below:
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/the-local-nhs/nhs-organisations/
b) Answer the questions below as fully as possible:
i) Do you expect any changes to the composition of PBC consortia as GP commissioning federations are formed?
In terms of changes to the composition of PBC consortia, we do expect some changes but at this stage it is too early to say what these might be as dialogue remains on-going. It is the case that we will be publishing this information at a later date. However, this will be dependent on the pace of change of the consortia.
ii) Do you expect any of your practice based commissioners to apply for GP commissioner pathfinder status and if so which ones?
Some of the existing PBC consortia are likely to formally apply to become pathfinders and we have received informal Expressions of Interest/discussions. However, we consider that it is reasonable in all the circumstances that the information should be withheld from disclosure until the future date of publication (section 22(1)(c))
Section 22 is a qualified exemption and is subject to consideration of the public interest test. We consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
Considerations in favour of disclosure:
We consider that the factors in favour of the disclosure of the information in this case are as follows:
Considerations in favour of maintaining the exemption
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The public interest in permitting public authorities to publish information in a manner and form and at a time of their own choosing is important. It is part of the effective conduct of public affairs that the general publication of information is a conveniently planned and managed activity within the reasonable control of public authorities. Where they have taken the decision in principle to publish, public authorities do have a reasonable entitlement to make their own arrangements to do so. It is the intention of NHS East Midlands and the Department of Health to publish this information when all normal channels for review have been completed and the final shape and extent of the discussions and proposals relating to the pathfinder status have been completed.
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The current information held is still subject to internal review and as such may require amendment. Premature publication would not allow the effective management of this information. If further amendments have to be made, there could be inaccurate or out of date versions in circulation that could lead to confusion.
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It is also important that in order to support extensive discussion around significant issues, that those responsible for the development of this area of policy must feel able to communicate in a free and frank manner without any prejudice which might occur should ideas and opinions, which might subsequently be discarded, be put in the public domain prematurely.
On balance, NHS East Midlands has determined that it is reasonable to withhold the information from disclosure until the future publication date and that the public interest in favour of maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
iii) Do any of your PCTs intend to transfer commissioning responsibility to GPs ahead of the timetable set out in the White Paper Equity and Excellent – Liberating the NHS and if so which ones?
- NHS East Midlands does not hold this information.
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 Moosa Patel
Director of Corporate Affairs
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
