Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
www.gov.uk/dhsc
Ms Gemma Lockton
request-671409-
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
14 July 2020
Dear Ms Lockton,
Freedom of Information Request Reference FOI-1234804
Thank you for your request dated 18 June 2020 in which you asked the Department of Health and
Social Care (DHSC)
:
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Methodology references in NHS test and trace
statistics (England): 28 May to 10 June 2020
In your document NHS test and trace statistics (England): 28 May to 10 June 2020 published
on 18th June 2020 you state:
“More details on the types of case can be found in the methodology document.”
Please provide me with a copy of the methodology document being referred to.
“These data are collected from management information from the NHS Test and Trace
service. More details about the methodology used can be found at the Methodology page.”
Please provide me with a copy of the Methodology page being referred to.
“Some cases may continue to be in progress after this period, and therefore data may need
to be revised over time (see methodology note for more detail)”
Please provide me with a copy of the methodology note being referred to.
Your request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
DHSC holds this information. However, as it is in the public domain we will, under section 21 of the
FOIA (information accessible by other means), refer you to the published source. The Methodology
document/note referenced in the NHS Test and Trace statistics is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-test-and-trace-statistics-england-methodology
It may help if I explain that the methodology document and the statistics for the week 28 May to 10
June were published on the same day (18 June), but initially the statistics were published in a PDF
version which did not contain hyperlinks. However, the statistics for that week were very shortly
after uploaded as a HTML version with the links embedded, and that version is here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/nhs-test-and-trace-statistics-england-28-may-to-10-june-
2020.
If you are not satisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to appeal by asking for
an internal review. This should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter and sent to
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, or to the address at the top of this letter.
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communication.
If you are not content with the outcome of your internal review, you may complain directly to the
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you
have already appealed our original response and received our internal review decision. You should
raise your concerns with the ICO within three months of your last meaningful contact with us.
The ICO can be contacted at:
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
Yours sincerely,
Dorothy Crowe
Freedom of Information Officer
E: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx