Request
I am writing to request that you release information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Please provide:
1. Information about the amount spent by the strategic health authority on the Department of Health’s SHA Assurance programme in 2009-10.
2. Information about the amount that will be spent by the strategic health authority on the Department of Health’s SHA Assurance programme in 2010-11.
Please include information on both recorded and estimated spending. Please include related spend on staff time, research and producing reports, and any other spending for the assurance process.
I look forward to receiving your response within 20 working days from 28 July, as required by the act, and would appreciate confirmation you have received this request. In addition, if my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you provide justification by reference to exemptions under the act.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or require any clarification of the request.
Our response
I refer to your email requesting information regarding the amount spent by NHS East Midlands on the Department of Health’s Strategic Health Authority (SHA) Assurance Programme in 2009-10.
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.
You specify that this information should include recorded and estimated spend, including staff time, research and producing reports and any other expenditure on the assurance process.
The SHA Assurance process strengthens the accountability of SHAs for their performance as well as supporting development and identifying areas for improvement. External consultancy support to assist in the development, pilot implementation and national roll out of the SHA Assurance programme was procured centrally via a competitive tender.
The amount spent by NHS East Midlands on the Assurance Programme for 2009/10, was nil.
The amount spent by NHS East Midlands on the Assurance Programme for 2010/11, including consultancy, dedicated staffing support to the project and sundry expenses was £181,000.
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
