Request
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please tell me…
1. How many times over the last five years the SHA has employed a consultancy firm to carry out an investigation or report?
2. In each case please provide information about which firm was used, what they were hired for and how much the work cost.
3. Can you tell how many times the SHA has been subject to such an independent investigation and a brief summary of the reasons why?
...I would prefer to receive the information in electronic format, to the enclosed e mail address. However, if it is more convenient, I would be happy to receive the information in hard copy format.
If my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the act. I will also expect you to release all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material. I, of course, reserve the right to appeal your decision to withhold any information or to deny a waiver of fees.
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of consultancy spend.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold the information that you have requested.
However, most of this information is already publicly available to you. As such we believe that the exemption available to us under Section 21 of the FOIA is engaged in this instance. Section 21 of the FOIA relates to information that is reasonably accessible to the applicant already. I have provided a link to this information below for your ease of reference :
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/about-us/financial-information/consultancy-costs/?locale=en
The information in respect of 2010/2011 will be published within our next annual report and we therefore feel that Section 22 of the FOIA is engaged in this instance. Section 22 relates to information intended for future publication. Section 22 is a qualified exemption and is subject to consideration of the public interest test. We recognise that there is a public interest in providing this information to you in order to be helpful, and to promote accountability and transparency of government. However, in this case, there are strong arguments to support the use of the future publication exemption on the basis that the best use of public resources would be directed to pulling this information together, ensuring the information is accurate and published in a consistent and comprehensive format.
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
