Request
May I ask if the
SHA has published a report in 2007 (or at any other time) to
monitor the health effects of fluoridation and to report on those
effects at four-yearly intervals
If so, I request
a copy (either in electronic or hard copy)
If not, could I
please have an explanation as to why the SHA has not published this
report.
Our Response
Request
for Information – Environmental Information Regulations
2004
Thank you for
your letter concerning water fluoridation.
After considering
the substance of your request it has been assessed as falling
within the ambit of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004
(the ‘Regulations’). I can confirm that NHS East Midlands
does not hold the information you have requested.
You refer to s90A
of the Water Act 2003 and the responsibility therein on Strategic
Health Authorities (SHAs) to monitor the health effects of
fluoridation and to report on those effects at four-yearly
intervals. I will address each of your points in
turn:-
- May I therefore ask if the SHA
has published such a report in 2007 (or at any other
time?)
- If so, I request a copy (either
in electronic or hard copy)
The SHA did not
publish a report on the effects of water fluoridation on the health
of persons living in its area in 2007 or at any other
time.
- If not, could I please have an
explanation as to why the SHA has not published this
report?
The SHA did not
publish a report on the effects of water fluoridation on the health
of persons living in its area in 2007 because the SHAs water
fluoridation schemes are currently not subject to the new statutory
and regulatory regime for water fluoridation introduced into the
Water Industry Act 1991, (“the 1991 Act”) by the Water Act 2003
(“the 2003 Act”). All of the SHAs fluoridation schemes operate
under legal agreements made prior to 1985.
Pre-1985
fluoridation schemes are dealt with differently from post-1985
schemes under the 2003 Act. Until section 58(7) of the 2003
Act, (which adds a revised section 91 to the 1991 Act) comes into
force, pre-1985 fluoridation schemes continue to be subject to
existing rather than the new arrangements for water fluoridation
schemes introduced by the 2003 Act. Existing statutory
arrangements for pre-1985 schemes do not require SHAs to publish
reports analysing the effects of water fluoridation on the health
of persons in their area. Accordingly the SHA does not have the
report you request.
The SHA
understands from the Department of Health that section 58(7)
of the 2003 Act will shortly be commenced. Once it is brought into
force the SHA will report at four yearly intervals on the health
effects of fluoridation in accordance with the requirements of the
revised section 91 of the 1991 Act.
I hope that this
information is of use to you. If you are dissatisfied with
the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to
review our decision in this case 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
