Care Quality Commission
- Date 9 July 2025
- Sector Health, Other
- Decision(s) FOI 14(1): Not upheld, FOI 17(5): Upheld
The complainant has requested copies of Mental Health Act (MHA) reports carried out by Care Quality Commission (CQC) MHA reviewers. The CQC has refused the request under section 14(1) of FOIA (vexatious requests), on the basis that complying with the request would place an unreasonable burden on the CQC. The Commissioner’s decision is that the CQC is entitled to refuse the request on the basis of section 14(1) of FOIA. However, it breached section 17(5) of FOIA by issuing its refusal notice informing the requester of this decision outside the allowed 20 working day time limit. The Commissioner does not require any further steps to be taken as a result of this decision notice.