Department of Health and Social Care

The complainant has requested information about the Government guidance: ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes’. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is withholding the information under sections 36(2)(b)(i), 36(2)(b)(ii) and 36(2)(c) of FOIA, which concern prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs. The Commissioner’s decision is as follows: At the time of the request, DHSC was entitled to withhold the information within scope of the request under section 36(2)(b)(i) and section 36(2)(b)(ii) of FOIA. The public interest favoured maintaining these exemptions. The Commissioner does not require DHSC to take any corrective steps.