SHA Finance

Request

Dear Sir/ Madam

I would like to make a Freedom of Information Act request for information on NHS finances, held by the SHA. I would be grateful if you could provide me with the following information, in Excel format where possible:

 Control totals 

• The SHA’s control total for the years 2007/08 to 2010/11 inclusive 

• A list showing the initial control totals, any in-year adjustments and the final control totals for all PCTs in the SHA area for the years 2007/08 to 2010/11 inclusive

• A brief explanation of the methodology for calculating PCT control totals each year

 Financial support

• A list of lodgements deposited with the SHA by PCTs for the years 2007/08 to 2010/11 inclusive

• A list of lodgements returned to PCTs by the SHA for the years 2007/08 to 2010/11 inclusive

• A list of any additional funding provided to PCTs or trusts by the SHA or other PCTs, whose source was originally PCT lodgements.

• A list showing the amount and the repayment terms of working capital loans received by trusts in the SHA area for the years 2006/07 to 2010/11 inclusive.

• A list showing the amount and the repayment terms of capital investment loans received by trusts in the SHA area for the years 2006/07 to 2010/11 inclusive.

I look forward to hearing from you in due course but do please get in touch if you would like to clarify any part of my request.

Our Response

I refer to your email requesting information in respect of NHS Finances held by NHS East Midlands (Strategic Health Authority). 

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, we are of the opinion that the information requested in terms of our control totals is already publicly available.  All of our financial performance is reported to our board on a monthly basis  via the board papers, which can be accessed via our website.  As such, this information is exempt from provision under Section 21 of the FOIA which relates to information that is already reasonably accessible to the applicant.  For your ease of reference, I have therefore attached a link to our website that will enable you access this information:

http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/about-us/the-board/

You have also requested information relating to financial support.  NHS East Midlands has considered your request along with the information that we hold.  At present, the nature of your request is very wide and we have estimated that complying with it would exceed the appropriate costs limit as laid out in section 12 of the FOIA. This limit is currently set at £450. We have estimated that in order to determine whether the information is held, then to locate, retrieve and extract it, would take in excess of 18 hours. At the hourly rate of £25 per person per hour as set by regulation 4 of the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004, this would exceed the costs limit.  Therefore, we are unable to disclose information to you in this instance as this would place too high a burden on the resources of NHS East Midlands.

In accordance with our duty under section 16 FOIA to provide advice and assistance, we would like to make you aware that you may resubmit a narrowed down request for information which can be handled within the 18 hours fees limit. Please note however that whilst we would not look to discourage you from narrowing your request, it is possible that further exemptions may be applicable which would potentially prevent disclosure.

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