Department of Health and Social Care

The complainant requested information from the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) about correspondence relating to the types of potential integrated care contract providers during the formulation of the Health and Social Care Bill. DHSC advised that to ascertain whether or not the requested information was held would exceed the cost limit at section 12(2) (Cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit) of FOIA.

The Commissioner’s decision is that DHSC was entitled to rely on section 12(2) and that it complied with its duties under section 16 (Advice and assistance) of FOIA. No steps are required.