Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The complainant has requested details of referrals to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The above public authority (“the public authority”) relied on section 12 of FOIA (costs) to refuse the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority was entitled to rely on section 12(1) of FOIA to refuse the request. However, the public authority failed to discharge its obligation under section 16 of FOIA to provide reasonable advice and assistance. The public authority also breached sections 10 and 17 of FOIA in its handling of the request. The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Provide the complainant with advice and assistance to help her reframe her request such that will fall within the cost limit.