Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

The complainant has requested information from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (the Trust) about applicants for jobs. The Trust provided some information but cited section 12 (cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit) of FOIA to part of the request. Much later the Trust questioned the accuracy of the information it had provided and concluded that section 12 applied to the whole request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Trust has cited section 12(1) of FOIA appropriately. He has found a breach of section 16(1) of FOIA in the Trust’s original response to the complainant. However, he accepts that the Trust is now unable to offer any meaningful advice and assistance, given the history and context of the request. The Commissioner has also decided that the Trust breached sections 1(1), 10(1) and 17(5) of FOIA in terms of the timeliness of its response. The Commissioner does not require further steps. Information Tribunal FT/EA/2024/0103 Under Appeal.