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Guidelines to Assist Ethnic Minorities Subject to Racism within the Health Service - Resubmitted October 2019

We're waiting for mathew5 to read a recent response and update the status.

Dear Prime Minister's Office,

Query: Guidelines to Assist Ethnic Minorities Subject to Racism within the Health Service - Resubmitted October 2019

This FOI query, originally submitted September 2017, was directed to the Department of Health. Regrettably the Department refuses to address the query or assist me so, I turn to you. Hope its not an inconvenience.

Would you kindly look over the query and, as you are able, offer response.

I enclose string of communications between myself and the Department FYI

My query: Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?

Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing?

That the government recognises such things, would it kindly identify title/s of any publications?

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

Original request string:

racism within the NHS

mathew5 made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Health and Social Care

1 September 2017 Delivered

Dear Department of Health,

Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?

Does the government condone the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing? Does the government acknowledge the existence of such things?
Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

26 September 2017
Our ref: DE-1096620

Dear Matthew,

Thank you for your email of 1 September about equality. I have been asked
to reply.

I note your concerns.

The Freedom of Information Act only applies to recorded information such
as paper or electronic archive material. As your correspondence asked for
general information, rather than requesting recorded information or
documentation, it did not fall under the provisions of the Act.

Healthcare is managed locally by individual NHS trusts and clinical
commissioning groups. The Department of Health expects that all people
seeking care should receive the highest standard of treatment and without
prejudice.

Any person who is a victim of discrimination by employees of the NHS
should raise a complaint with the NHS organisation concerned, through the
NHS’ official complaints procedure. Further information can be found in
the following link:
[1]www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/complaints-and-feedback/pages/nhs-complaints.aspx.

I hope this reply is helpful.

Yours sincerely,
Rory Howard
Ministerial Correspondence and Public Enquiries
Department of Health

--------------------------------

Please do not reply to this email. To contact the Department of Health,
please visit the [2]Contact DH section on Gov.uk
Help us improve our contact form by [3]providing feedback
To receive news about DH: [4]sign up to our monthly newsletter
Incoming and outgoing e-mail messages are routinely monitored for
compliance with the Department of Health's policy on the use of electronic
communications. For more information on the Department of Health's e-mail
policy click here http://www.dh.gov.uk/terms

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Link to this Report

========================================================

mathew5 10 October 2017 Delivered
Dear Department of Health,

Thanks for your response.

I presented a couple of queries. Your response of September addresses both collectively adding, that .....my queries do not fall under the provision of the Act.... You go on to explain what should happen: ....the Department of Health expects that all people seeking care should receive the highest standard of treatment and without prejudice.... and also that, complaints should be made to the NHS organisation concerned. Thank you.

My first query read: Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?

Further to your response, I wish to add the following: it is very often the case the problem is widespread; that's to say, not necessarily something resolvable locally. Ultimately the complainant is expected to exhaust local complaints procedures before escalating the matter outside local jurisdiction. At this time of course, the complainant may have already prejudiced themselves. That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify title/s of any policy (or other) document/s? That it holds no provision, would you kindly confirm.

My second query reads: Does the government condone the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing?

After reading again my query again, I reword it so: Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or, social standing? That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify the title/s of any policy document? Otherwise, would you kindly confirm.

With respect, my FOI query is not one about identifying prescribed routes of complaint or the complaints process. This is an FOI query and under section 16 of the Act you are '....obliged to provide advice and assistance....'

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

Do Not Reply, 6 November 2017
1 Attachment

FOI 1101300 Matthew 5 reply.pdf
60K Download View as HTML

Dear Matthew,

Please find attached the Department of Health's response to your recent
FOI request (our ref: FOI-1101300  ) 

Yours sincerely,
 Edward Franklyn 
Freedom of Information team
Department of Health

-------------------------------------------------------------

Please do not reply to this email. To contact the Department of Health,
please visit the Contact DH section on www.gov.uk/dh
Incoming and outgoing e-mail messages are routinely monitored for
compliance with the Department of Health's policy on the use of electronic
communications. For more information on the Department of Health's e-mail
policy click here http://www.dh.gov.uk/terms

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This email was scanned by the Symantec virus scanning service and was
certified virus free.
Communications may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for
legal purposes.

========================================================

mathew5 13 December 2017 Delivered
Dear Department of Health,
Thanks for your message.
Given the nature of my query, I'm not so keen to supply personal details on this occasion: doing so may prejudice me. I'm guessing you understand this nonetheless demand personal information. For my information, do you recognise my reservation in supplying you such detail? This is an FOI query and under section 16 of the Act you are '....obliged to provide advice and assistance....'
Yours faithfully,
mathew5

enc. your message:

Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health
39 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0EU
www.gov.uk
6 November 2017

Dear Matthew
Freedom of Information Request Reference FOI-1101300
Thank you for your request dated X October in which you asked the Department of Health (DH):

“Dear Department of Health,
Thanks for your response.
I presented a couple of queries. Your response of September addresses both collectively adding, that .....my queries do not fall under the provision of the Act.... You go on to explain what should happen: ....the Department of Health expects that all people seeking care should receive the highest standard of treatment and without prejudice.... and also that, complaints should be made to the NHS organisation concerned. Thank you.
My first query read: Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?
Further to your response, I wish to add the following: it is very often the case the problem is widespread; that's to say, not necessarily something resolvable locally. Ultimately the complainant is expected to exhaust local complaints procedures before escalating the matter outside local jurisdiction. At this time of course, the complainant may have already prejudiced themselves. That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify title/s of any policy (or other) document/s? That it holds no provision, would you kindly confirm.
My second query reads: Does the government condone the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing?
After reading again my query again, I reword it so: Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or, social standing? That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify the title/s of any policy document? Otherwise, would you kindly confirm.
With respect, my FOI query is not one about identifying prescribed routes of complaint or the complaints process. This is an FOI query and under section 16 of the Act you are '....obliged to provide advice and assistance....' ”

Please note, under section 8(1) of FOIA, a request for information must comply with three requirements. It must:
(a) be in writing,
(b) state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence, and
(c) describes the information requested.
After initial consideration, this request appears to comply with requirements (a) and (c) but it does not comply with requirement (b) because you have not provided your full name. As your request is not valid under FOIA, I am not obliged to process your request. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend that any future FOI submissions adhere to Section 8 of the FOIA. To enable us to meet your request, please resubmit your application including your real name.
This should normally include your first name or a title (e.g. Miss or Dr) as well as your surname.
We will consider your resubmitted request upon receipt as long as it meets the requirements stated above. You will then receive a response from us within the statutory timescale of 20 working days.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee at this stage that a clarified request will fall within the FOIA cost limit, or that other exemptions will not apply.
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 receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to the address at the top of this letter, or the email address at the end of this letter.
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications. If you are not content with the outcome of your internal review, you may complain directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) who may decide to investigate your concerns. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already appealed our original response, and received our internal review response. The ICO will not usually investigate concerns where there has been an undue delay in bringing it to their attention. You should raise your concerns with them 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,
Freedom of Information Officer
[email address]

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

mathew5 12 February 2018 Delivered
Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews. I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS'.

Having not secured response it's unclear whether or not you received my query or prefer not to handle it. Given that it's been recorded 'delivered', I'm guessing the latter be true so, being the case, would you but kindly confirm you wish not to deal with it. Heres the query:

.....mathew5 13 December 2017
Delivered
Dear Department of Health,
Thanks for your message.
Given the nature of my query, I'm not so keen to supply personal details on this occasion: doing so may prejudice me. I'm guessing you understand this nonetheless demand personal information. For my information, do you recognise my reservation in supplying you such detail? This is an FOI query and under section 16 of the Act you are '....obliged to provide advice and assistance....'
Yours faithfully,
mathew5

enc. your message:

Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health
39 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0EU
www.gov.uk
6 November 2017

Dear Matthew
Freedom of Information Request Reference FOI-1101300
Thank you for your request dated October in which you asked the Department of Health (DH):

“Dear Department of Health,
Thanks for your response.
I presented a couple of queries. Your response of September addresses both collectively adding, that .....my queries do not fall under the provision of the Act.... You go on to explain what should happen: ....the Department of Health expects that all people seeking care should receive the highest standard of treatment and without prejudice.... and also that, complaints should be made to the NHS organisation concerned. Thank you.
My first query read: Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?
Further to your response, I wish to add the following: it is very often the case the problem is widespread; that's to say, not necessarily something resolvable locally. Ultimately the complainant is expected to exhaust local complaints procedures before escalating the matter outside local jurisdiction. At this time of course, the complainant may have already prejudiced themselves. That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify title/s of any policy (or other) document/s? That it holds no provision, would you kindly confirm.
My second query reads: Does the government condone the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing?
After reading again my query again, I reword it so: Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or, social standing? That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify the title/s of any policy document? Otherwise, would you kindly confirm.
With respect, my FOI query is not one about identifying prescribed routes of complaint or the complaints process. This is an FOI query and under section 16 of the Act you are '....obliged to provide advice and assistance....' ”

Please note, under section 8(1) of FOIA, a request for information must comply with three
requirements. It must:
(a) be in writing,
(b) state the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence, and
(c) describes the information requested.
After initial consideration, this request appears to comply with requirements (a) and (c) but it does not comply with requirement (b) because you have not provided your full name. As your request is not valid under FOIA, I am not obliged to process your request. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend that any future FOI submissions adhere to Section 8 of the FOIA. To enable us to meet your request, please resubmit your application including your real name.
This should normally include your first name or a title (e.g. Miss or Dr) as well as your surname.
We will consider your resubmitted request upon receipt as long as it meets the requirements stated above. You will then receive a response from us within the statutory timescale of 20 working days.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee at this stage that a clarified request will fall within the FOIA cost limit, or that other exemptions will not apply.
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 receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to the address at the top of this letter, or the email address at the end of this letter.
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications. If you are not content with the outcome of your internal review, you may complain directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) who may decide to investigate your concerns. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already appealed our original response, and received our internal review response. The ICO will not usually investigate concerns where there has been an undue delay in bringing it to their attention. You should raise your concerns with them 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,
Freedom of Information Officer
[email address].....

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

Shewbridge, James, 5 March 2018
Dear Mathew,

You internal review request was previously allocated to a colleague but due to staffing issues has been escalated to me to complete. I will aim to do so within 20 working days.

I apologise for the delay incurred to date in dealing with your request.

Kind regards,
James
James Shewbridge
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria St
London SW1H 0EU
show quoted sections

========================================================

FreedomofInformation, 12 March 2018
1 Attachment

IR 1101300 Mathew5.pdf
233K Download View as HTML

Dear Mathew,

Your internal review of FOI 1101300 is now complete. Please find attached our response.

Kind regards,
James

James Shewbridge
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria St
London SW1H 0EU

show quoted sections

========================================================

mathew5 10 April 2018 Delivered
Dear FreedomofInformation,

I acknowledge receipt your response.

You write: ..After careful consideration I have concluded that the response you received as part of your FOI request was compliant with the requirements of the FOIA. The review is now complete. .

According to Section 16 of the FOI Act, you are nonetheless obliged to give advice and assistance. There's little evidence of the same. As you are able and obliged, any guidance would be welcome.

Yours sincerely,
mathew5

========================================================

mathew5 10 April 2018 Delivered
Dear Shewbridge, James,

Further to my last message sent this date. You can take my name as, Domenic Bert.

Yours sincerely,
mathew5

========================================================

FreedomofInformation, 12 April 2018
Dear Mathew5,

Thank you for your further email about my response to your request for an internal review (our ref: IR 1101300)

To enable us to process your request, I would advise you to provide us with your full name, normally your first name or title and your surname.

Kind regards,
James
James Shewbridge
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria St
London SW1H 0EU
show quoted sections

========================================================

mathew5 7 June 2018 Delivered
Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS'.

I enclose response to Mr Shewbridge's query. What seems to be his problem?

"Further to my last message sent this date. You can take my name as, Domenic Bert"

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

FreedomofInformation, 12 June 2018
1 Attachment

IR 1101300 Mathew5.pdf
229K Download View as HTML

Dear Mathew5,

In my response to your request for an internal review of FOI-1101300 (see attached PDF), I explained that to enable us to process your request you will need to provide us with your full name, normally your first name or title and your surname.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. The ICO can be contacted at:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

https://ico.org.uk/concerns

Kind regards,
James

James Shewbridge
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria St
London SW1H 0EU
show quoted sections

========================================================

mathew5 6 July 2018 Delivered
July 2018

Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Thank you for your message. Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews. I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS'.

My last message of June 7 was a 'Request for Internal Review'; it was not directed to the Mr Shewbridge. Whether or not Internal Review offers same response, I'd prefer the designed guidelines were followed. So, would you do me the courtesy of confirming the last message of June 22 was response to my June 7 Request for Review, from the Review Team or pass it to the Review Team. If you simply prefer not to deal with this query, that's OK, simply confirm the same.

F.Y.I. My original query reads:
..Dear Department of Health,
Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?
Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing? That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify the title/s of any policy document? Otherwise, would you kindly confirm..

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

mathew5 14 August 2018 Delivered
Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews. I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS': Having not secured response, send my message again:

6 July 2018

Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Thank you for your message. Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews. I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS'.

My last message of June 7 was a 'Request for Internal Review'; it was not directed to the Mr Shewbridge. Whether or not Internal Review offers same response, I'd prefer the designed guidelines were followed. So, would you do me the courtesy of confirming the last message of June 22 was response to my June 7 Request for Review, from the Review Team or pass it to the Review Team. If you simply prefer not to deal with this query, that's OK, simply confirm the same.

F.Y.I. My original query reads:
..Dear Department of Health,
Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?
Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing? That the Department recognises such things, would it kindly identify the title/s of any policy document? Otherwise, would you kindly confirm..

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

FreedomofInformation, 14 August 2018
2 Attachments

RE Internal review of Freedom of Information request racism within the NHS.txt
2K Download View as HTML

IR 1101300 Mathew5.pdf
229K Download View as HTML

Dear Mathew5,

Thank you for your email. James Shewbridge has now left the Department, but he was responsible for conducting internal reviews. I have taken over from him.

The purpose of an internal review is to assess how your FOI request was handled in the first instance and to determine whether the original decision given to you was correct. I cannot conduct an internal review, as your initial request was not valid and the Department was not able to provide a response to it.

As James explained, to enable us to process your initial request you will need to provide us with your full name, normally your first name or title and your surname.

If you are not content, you may complain to the Information Commissioner (ICO). 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,
Charlene
show quoted sections

========================================================

mathew5 11 October 2018 Delivered
Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS' because: you fail to explain why you don't accept the name I provide.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

mathew5 15 December 2018 Delivered
Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS'.

Having not received response: did you receive my message of October 2018? Are you planning to offer a response?

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

mathew5 13 February 2019 Delivered
Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Without prejudice, please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

Having not secured response, I'm writing to request an internal review of Department of Health and Social Care's handling of my FOI request 'racism within the NHS'. Here's the query:

..Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?

Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing?

That the Department does recognise such things, would it kindly identify title/s of any publication?..

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r...

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

[NEW QUERY SENT]

June 2019

Dear Sir,

Kindly note: this is not a new query.

Unable to secure response to my original query and experiencing some technical difficulties, I'm having to re-present it with a new title. The original was entitled: 'racism within the NHS' and a full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at the address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/r.... I've also copied it below fyi. May be wise to check the original before offering response.

Here's my FOI query: Dear Department of Health,

Has the government compiled a set of guidelines to assist ethnic minorities subject to racism within the health services?

Does the government recognise the practice of 'herding patients' between health practices according to colour or social standing?

That the Department does recognise such things, would it kindly identify title/s of any publication?

Yours faithfully,
mathew5

========================================================

Department of Health and Social Care 14 June 2019
This is an acknowledgement - please do not reply to this email.
Where a reply is appropriate, we aim to send one within 18 working days,
or 20 working days if your query is a Freedom of Information request or
complaint.

========================================================

Department of Health and Social Care 14 June 2019
1 Attachment

Dear Matthew,

Please find attached the Department of Health and Social Care's response
to your recent FOI request. (our ref: FOI-1179613) 

Yours sincerely,
Lauren Der 
Freedom of Information team
Department of Health and Social Care

Please do not reply to this email. To contact the Department of Health and
Social Care, please visit [1]www.gov.uk/dhsc

========================================================

[end string]

Yours faithfully,

mathew5

FOI Team Mailbox, Prime Minister's Office

Thank you for your recent email, copied below. Unfortunately, we cannot
accept a request without a full and valid name. Please provide same if you
wish to continue with this request. If we do not hear from you within two
months of the date of this email we will consider the matter closed.

 

Regards

 

 FOI Team

Room 405

70 Whitehall,

London, SW1A 2AS

 

Email: [1][Number 10 request email]

 

show quoted sections

We don't know whether the most recent response to this request contains information or not – if you are mathew5 please sign in and let everyone know.