Department of Health and Social Care
- Date 13 December 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 1(1): Upheld, FOI 10(1): Upheld
The complainant requested information from the Department of Health & Social Care (“the DHSC”) about direct correspondence between two
named individuals at the DHSC during a specified time period. The DHSC
explained that it believes no information in scope of the request is held.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the DHSC failed to provide an
adequate response to the request. Consequently the Commissioner finds
that the DHSC breached section 1(1) and section 10(1) of FOIA.
The Commissioner requires the DHSC to take the following steps to
ensure compliance with the legislation.
The DHSC must issue a fresh response to the request which is
adequate for the purposes of FOIA.
The DHSC must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of
this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner
making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to
section 54 of FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.