FOI release

Freedom of Information request on the electronic listing of all inspections conducted in the last 3 months (FOI 21/1112)

Published 26 May 2022

FOI 21/1112

1st November 2021

Dear,

Thank you for your communication to the MHRA in relation to a Freedom of Information request for:

Electronic listing (preferably csv format) of all inspections conducted in the last 3 months. Please include the following fields: case_number, inspection category, site operator number, site operator, inspection site id, site name, address, start date, end date, count of critical deficiencies, count of major deficiencies, count of other deficiencies. We’ve noticed the records often do not have start date and end date. Is this data available for all records?

From our preliminary assessment, it is clear that we will not be able to answer your request without further clarification.

The I,E&S FOI team requires further information in order to identify and locate the information you have asked for . Please could you clarify what time range that you seek?

Furthermore, could you please clarify what is your interpretation of inspection start and end date. For example do you mean the start and end date of the inspection e.g. the duration of the on-site or remote inspection only, or do you mean the start and end of the inspection process.

Once you have clarified your request, the twenty working day limit will recommence and we will begin to process the request. (Under section 1(3) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a public authority need not comply with a request unless any further information reasonably required to locate the information is supplied).

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. That review will be undertaken by a senior member of the Agency who has not previously been involved in your request. If you wish to pursue that option please email: [email protected]

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we are not able to accept delivery of any documents or correspondence by post or courier to any of our offices.

After that, if you remain dissatisfied, you may write to the Information Commissioner at;

The Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

They will make a decision on whether or not we have interpreted the FOIA correctly in handling your request.

Yours sincerely

IE&S FOI Team

MHRA

Inspection, Enforcement and Standards