Manx Care refuses to publish cost of leaflets

Internal review upholds Freedom of Information decision

Manx Care has refused to publish the cost of leaflets distributed to Manx households last winter, citing commercial sensitivity.

The healthcare provider has acknowledged that there is a public interest in releasing the figure, but insists it would prejudice its supplier.

Manx Radio submitted a Freedom of Information request in December 2022 seeking the amount spent on leaflets, which highlighted the various healthcare options available to locals over the winter months.

Responding in January 2023, Manx Care said it recognised the public interest in disclosure of information, and that providing this information may help build greater public confidence in its processes.

It also acknowledged that there is a public interest in the provision and cost of its services.

However, the healthcare provider said the commercial interests of suppliers would be prejudiced if precise details of contracts between Manx Care and its suppliers were released.

It also highlighted that the information is current, and that the severity of the impact of the prejudice is weighted towards maintaining an exemption for commercial reasons.

Manx Radio requested an internal review of Manx Care's decision in January 2023 - the outcome of this review was received in December 2023.

Manx Radio argued that as the information related to helping the public access healthcare it was strongly in the public interest for this to be released.

The station also submitted that as the leaflet was specific to Manx Care and created by the healthcare board's in house graphic design resource, the cost being in the public domain would not necessarily be as commercially sensitive.

In the review findings, Manx Care says it upholds its position to withhold the information as it would jeopardise the commercial interests of the public authority and the service provider.

Manx Care did reveal that the leaflets cost 19p per household. Using data from the 2021 census, this would give a total spend of just over £7,000.