Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

The Commissioner’s decision is that Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (‘the Trust’) isn’t entitled to withhold the requested numerical data about cervical screening under section 40(2) of FOIA. This is because Commissioner hasn’t been persuaded that the withheld data can be categorised as personal data. The Commissioner requires the Trust to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose the numerical data that the complainant has requested; that is, without the initials or personnel information about some screeners. The Commissioner expects the Trust to take appropriate precautions when disclosing information in a spreadsheet or similar format, in line with the Commissioner’s advisory note on information held in spreadsheets.