Resource allocation in the event that ITU/mechanical invasive ventilation demand outstrips supply

The request was successful.

Mr David Johnson

Dear Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust,

I make this request in the context of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Firstly, please provide a spreadsheet which discloses the following data, in respect of each date from and including 1 February 2020 to and including 30 April 2020:

1. The total capacity of ITU beds (including any surge capacity created as part of the pandemic response) which are available within your NHS Trust;

2. Of that total capacity of ITU beds (including any surge capacity created as part of the pandemic response), the number of ITU beds which were, for any period of time on the given date, occupied by a patient (whether because of Covid-19 or for another clinical reasoning);

3. Of that number of ITU beds which were, for any period of time on the given date, occupied by a patient; the percentage rate of the total occupation number where the need for the ITU bed arose from the patient suffering Covid-19;

4. The total capacity of mechanical invasive ventilators (including any surge capacity created as part of the pandemic response) which are available within your NHS Trust;

5. Of that total capacity of mechanical invasive ventilators (including any surge capacity created as part of the pandemic response), the number of mechanical invasive ventilators which were, for any period of time on the given date, occupied by a patient (whether because of Covid-19 or for another clinical reasoning);

6. Of that number of mechanical invasive ventilators which were, for any period of time on the given date, occupied by a patient; the percentage rate of the total occupation number where the need for the mechanical invasive ventilator arose from the patient suffering Covid-19;

In addition to providing the above data sets, please also confirm whether, at any time since the Covid-19 pandemic began in December 2019, the Trust has created and/or adopted an official policy concerning the criteria to be applied in circumstances where the demand for ITU beds and/or mechanical invasive ventilators outstrips supply; i.e. because the number of patients in need of such resources is higher than the number of resources available.

If such a policy has been created and/or adopted, please confirm the date(s) during which the policy is or has been in effect, and please provide a complete copy of the policy, as well as any supporting documents or information which are referred to within the policy and/or which are reasonably required to understand and execute the policy and its implications.

Yours faithfully,

Mr David Johnson

Freedom of Information Act, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

1 Attachment

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Thank you for your application for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.

 

In order to concentrate our very best efforts in caring for our patients
during the current pandemic, the Trust will not be responding to any
requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

 

We will update the Trust website when this situation changes.

 

We very much appreciate your understanding during this time.

 

Kind Regards,

Freedom of Information Team

Information Assurance Department

 

e. [1][email address]

w. [2]www.wwl.nhs.uk

 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Hospital

Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP

 

[3]cid:image001.png@01D33B9E.EEA9BFD0

 

show quoted sections

Mr David Johnson

Dear Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust,

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

I am writing to request an internal review of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust's handling of my FOI request 'Resource allocation in the event that ITU/mechanical invasive ventilation demand outstrips supply'.

I do not consider it lawful for the Trust to adopt a blanket policy of refusing to attend to any FOI requests at this time, even in the context of the ongoing pandemic. Even if it were lawful for a blanket policy to be adopted, I consider it would be necessary as a matter of law for the Trust to nonetheless attend to any FOI requests where the content or context of the requests necessitates it being dealt with, with particular expedience. With respect, I consider this FOI request, which relates directly to a human rights issue in the context of the pandemic, is a request of such nature.

Whilst, at this stage, I am asking you to reconsider this decision by way of requesting an 'internal review' under current FOI best practice, I reserve my position entirely as to whether to bring proceedings for Judicial Review respecting this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Mr David Johnson

Freedom of Information Act, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

1 Attachment

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Thank you for your application for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and subsequent request for an internal review. Please
know that this is currently being undertaken and that a response will be
provided at the earliest opportunity, no later than twenty days from the
receipt of your request.

 

Apologies for any inconvenience caused, your patience at this time is
greatly appreciated.

 

Kind Regards,

Freedom of Information Team

Information Assurance Department

 

e. [1][email address]

w. [2]www.wwl.nhs.uk

 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Hospital

Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP

 

[3]cid:image001.png@01D33B9E.EEA9BFD0

 

show quoted sections

Freedom of Information Act, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

1 Attachment

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Please know that we currently working on preparing a response to your
request, this will be provided to you at our earliest opportunity.

 

Your patience at this time is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Freedom of Information Team

Information Assurance Dept.

t.    01257 25 6284

e.   [1][email address]

w.   [2]www.wwl.nhs.uk

 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Hospital

Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP

 

[3]cid:image003.jpg@01D51AB1.D9F6EE70

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/

Freedom of Information Act, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

1 Attachment

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Subsequent to your internal review request,  the Trust has concluded that
requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will once again be
processed.

 

We are currently looking into the questions you have raised as a matter of
urgency and will respond at the earliest opportunity; and no later than
twenty working days from receipt of this acknowledgement. The due date for
this Freedom of Information request is the 29^th June 2020. The Trust
reference number for your request is 6013.

 

If we experience any difficulties retrieving the information you require,
please rest assured that we will contact you at the earliest opportunity
to let you know.

 

Your understanding and patience at this time is greatly appreciated,

 

Kind Regards,

Freedom of Information Team

Information Assurance Department

 

t. 01257 56 7234

e. [1][email address]

w. [2]www.wwl.nhs.uk

 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP

 

[3]cid:image001.png@01D33B9E.EEA9BFD0

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/

Freedom of Information Act, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

1 Attachment

Dear Sir

 

Please accept our apologies for not yet responding to your request.

 

We are endeavouring to obtain the information for you and hope that the
lateness of our response doesn’t cause you any inconvenience.

 

Your patience at this time is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Freedom of Information Team

Information Assurance Dept.

t.    01257 25 6284

e.   [1][email address]

w.   [2]www.wwl.nhs.uk

 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Hospital

Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP

 

[3]cid:image003.jpg@01D51AB1.D9F6EE70

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/

Freedom of Information Act, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

2 Attachments

Dear Sir ,

 

Please find attached the response to your recent Freedom of Information
request and accept our utmost apologies for the late response..

               

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Kind Regards,

 

 

Freedom of Information Team

Information Assurance Department

 

t.    01257 25 6284

e.   [2][email address]

w.   [3]www.wwl.nhs.uk

 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Hospital

Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP

 

[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D5BA4F.2B9D00B0

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G3YHPST
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/