Request
1. I would like to request information on workforce plans in your region. Please state how many full-time equivalent (a) Doctors; (b) Qualified Nursing Staff; (c) Managers and Senior Managers; and (d) staff in total the NHS in your region (i) currently employs and (ii) is planning to employ in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
2. I would like to request information on bed numbers within your region. Please state (a) how many beds the NHS in your region currently has, including day beds; and (b) how many beds the NHS in your region is planning to have in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
3. I would like to request information on total NHS spending within your region. Please state (a) the NHS in your region’s total budget for 2009-10; and (b) what the NHS in your region is planning for its total budgetto be in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of workforce, bed numbers and spend within the East Midlands.
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.
However, I will address each of your questions in turn:-
1. I would like to request information on workforce plans in your region. Please state how many full-time equivalent (a) Doctors; (b) Qualified Nursing Staff; (c) Managers and Senior Managers; and (d) staff in total the NHS in your region (i) currently employs and (ii) is planning to employ in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
We are of the opinion that the exemption available to us under Section 22 (1) (a) is engaged in this instance:-
‘(1) Information is exempt information if – (a) the information is held by the public authority with a view to its publication, by the authority or any other person, at some future date (whether determined or not)’
However Section 16 FOIA places the duty on us to provide help and assistance where necessary and I am therefore able to advise you that the September 2009 Workforce census information will shortly be published on theDepartment of Health website. Attached is the link to the publications section of the Department of Health website:-
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/index.htm
I would also advise you that planning around the future staffing position is currently in progress and is still subject to Department of Health review and challenge. This will be published later in the year and also falls under the Section 22 (1) (a) exemption.
We feel that early release of the above information would provide an unrealistic view of the current situation. We therefore feel that the public interest in withholding the information at this stage outweighs the public interest in its disclosure.
2. I would like to request information on bed numbers within your region. Please state (a) how many beds the NHS in your region currently has, including day beds; and (b) how many beds the NHS in your region is planning to have in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
We are of the opinion that the exemption available to us under Section 21 (1) of the FOIA is engaged in this instance:-
‘Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant otherwise than under Section 1 is exempt information’.
We are again mindful of Section 16 of the FOIA so I am able to advise you that all national bed information is publically available at the following link:-
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/Performancedataandstatistics/Beds/index.htm
In terms of future bed planning, NHS East Midlands does not hold this information. However, it should be available from our constituent organisations via the following link to our website:-
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/the-local-nhs/nhs-organisations/
3. I would like to request information on total NHS spending within your region. Please state (a) the NHS in your region’s total budget for 2009-10; and (b) what the NHS in your region is planning for its total budget to be in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Attached is a pdf file showing the proposed spend for the NHS in the East Midlands for the next 3 years. The figures for the final two years requested are not yet available and have therefore not been included.
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 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
