Request
Would you be able to tell me what major service changes (reconfigurations) are planned for your region?
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information regarding service reconfiguration in terms of the East Midlands.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold some of the information that you have requested and which can be found in our March and June 2011 Board Papers via our website at the following links:
March 2011 Board Papers – Annex 3
June 2011 Board Papers – Transition Board Update
Additional schemes will also be reported on and updated via our on-going Board Reporting process and as they are intended for publication at a later date, are exempt from publication at this point in time by reason of Section 22 of the FOIA. However, Section 22 is a qualified exemption, and we are required to assess as objectively as possible whether the balance of public interest favours disclosing or withholding the information. Although, in general, there is a public interest in information about service reconfiguration being made as freely available as possible, we also recognise a strong public interest in this type of information appearing in published form, and in the most organised and comprehensible manner possible. The work currently being undertaken in terms of proposed changes to services are currently in draft form and subject to on-going development but we do intend to publish them in due course. In this case, we have therefore determined that the balance of public interest favours withholding the information pending publication.
I would also like to point out that we have actively been encouraging constituent organisations to update their websites to ensure that those undertaking reconfigurations are able to ensure that the information being maintained on their websites is accurate, timely and as comprehensive as possible. The following link to our website will enable you to access relevant websites:
http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/the-local-nhs/nhs-organisations/
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
