Request
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to request the information specified below. If you are happy to provide this information outside the Freedom of Information Act process, please feel free to do so.
Otherwise, I request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I am requesting information about the revenue received by the strategic health authority from primary care trusts as a result of the marginal rate tariff for emergency activity. Under the 2010-11 Operating Framework, since April 1, 70 per cent of the value of emergency activity above an agreed baseline value - generally set at the level of activity in 2008-09 – has been due to be paid to the SHA. (see The Operating Framework 2010-11 paragraphs 3.39-3.41).
Where held, please provide:
1. Information about how the marginal payment rule is being applied in the SHA region, for example if there is a uniform activity value level at which the marginal tariff is being applied, or if it is not being applied at all. If it is being applied, please include the proportion of income for the relevant activity that is not being paid to providers (the marginal rate).
2. Information about how the pool of money paid to the SHA has been used, or plans for how it will be used.
3. Information about the income received by the SHA under the tariff between April 1 and September 1. Please include a total for the SHA and a breakdown of the income by originating PCT and providing hospital trust.
4. Information about the income owed to the SHA under the rule from activity between April 1 and September 1, but not yet paid to the SHA. Please include a total for the SHA and, if held, a breakdown of the income from each PCT, and income by originating PCT and providing hospital trust.
5. If held, information about the income the SHA expects to receive under the rule between September 1 and April 1 2011. Please include a total for the SHA and, if held, a breakdown of the income expected from each PCT and providing hospital trust.
I look forward to receiving your response within 20 working days as required by the act. In addition, if my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you provide justification by reference to exemptions under the act.
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of emergency activity pool.
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 feel that the information is exempt from provision by Section 21 of the FOIA which relates to information that is already reasonably accessible to the public.
NHS East Midlands’ approach to the emergency activity pool was set out in the Financial Strategy, considered by the SHA Board in January 2010. I have attached a link to this paper below:
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/about-us/publications/?categoryesctl990746=607
There is also further information in the September 2010 SHA Board paper. The final slide contains the relevant information:
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/about-us/publications/?assetdetesctl990746=35054&categoryesctl990746=1303&p=2
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
