Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant requested transcripts and written submissions provided by doctors to an Independent Review Panel relating to circumstances surrounding the death of the complainant's mother. Initially the hospital stated that it did not hold the information, but did subsequently confirm that it did not hold the information, but did subsequently confirm that it did, responding outside of the 20 working day time limit. Additionally, the hospital argued the information was exempt under section 36, although during the course the Commissioner's investigation the information was released. The Decision Notice therefore only considers the timeliness of the Hospital's response and whether it issued a proper refusal notice. The Commissioner found that the Hospital did not comply with section 10 and did not issue a proper refusal notice as required under section 17 of the Act.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 10 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld