AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
FOI-02909

Thank you for your request for information about the following:

##Request

<p><i>I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding medicines wastage across the NHS, specifically relating to prescription medication.

Please could you provide the following data for the most recent 12-month period available:

1.           The estimated financial cost of wasted or unused prescription medicines across the NHS in England.
2.           A breakdown, if possible, of this wastage by:

o            Returned or uncollected patient prescriptions
o            Expired or destroyed stock
o            Medicines disposed of in care settings (e.g. hospitals, GP practices, or community pharmacies)

3.           Any internal reports, audits, or findings your organisation holds relating to medicines waste and/or medicines optimisation.

4.           Whether NHSBSA utilises or recommends any digital systems to monitor or reduce prescription waste at a national level.</i></p>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 7 June 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)

##Our response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

##Advice and Assistance

Having reviewed your request, I believe that it is possible that NHS England may hold some or all of the information you require. They can be contacted at:

NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT
Telephone 0300 311 22 33
Email: england.contactus@nhs.net    
Web http://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/foi/ 

Following the announcement on 13 March 2025 regarding the disbanding of NHS England, please be assured that at this time they can be contacted for information as normal. 
More information can be found here: NHS England 

##Publishing this response

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02909

Your personal details will be removed from the published response.


Tags: NHS Prescriptions, medicines wastage
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02830

##Request

I am told that despite electronic prescriptions being widely used in primary health the last stage requires the pharmacy to print the prescription for that to be sent to you. The doctor then went onto say they had received feedback from you not to include sticky notes on the prescriptions as they interfere with your scanning process. 

  

One of the great impacts of electronic prescribing is the decreased waste and paper needing to be used and disposed of in a confidential way. It seems absurd that the only reason millions of prescription are being printed are so they can be transferred to you and scanned. 

  

If true this would have an extreme financial and environmental impact on the taxpayer and country respectively. 

  

Please can you verify if this is a true representation of your process. If true I will consider passing this information onto reputable national newspapers in the hope that the publicity might lead to change. 

  

For the avoidance of any doubt I am making this request as a general enquiry and under the freedom of information act. All the details are in the public interest to know especially as they relate to taxpayer money and the environment. 

##Response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is held by the NHSBSA. 

 

The decision to print a copy of an EPS (Electronic Prescription Service) prescription rests solely with the dispensing contractor and is not mandated by any NHSBSA process. We do not require printed EPS prescriptions to be submitted for payment, as reimbursement is processed using the electronic message. 

 

In cases where a prescriber issues a paper FP10 prescription (which accounts for approximately 9% of prescriptions received), we advise against attaching sticky notes. This is because they can interfere with our scanning systems and hinder efficient processing. 

 

Advice and Assistance 

 

Having reviewed your request, I believe it is possible that NHS England may hold further information relevant to your enquiry. They can be contacted at: 

 

NHS England 

PO Box 16738 

Redditch 

B97 9PT 

Telephone 0300 311 22 33 

Email: england.contactus@nhs.net     

Web http://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/foi/  

Following the announcement on 13 March 2025 regarding the disbanding of NHS England, please be assured that at this time they can be contacted for information as normal.  

More information can be found here: NHS England  

Publishing this response 

 

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at: 

 

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02830 

 

Your personal details will be removed from the published response. 

Tags: electronic prescriptions
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02803

#Request

_In addition to my complaint, I would be grateful if you could set out detail of measures you have taken to address the poor customer service of your NHS contractors in regards to prescriptions? I would be grateful if you could set out the details of improvement training, development and guidance you have undertaken with pharmacy partners; what measures you have in place to address poor performance and the number of complaints and fixed penalty notices issued by BSA concerning poor performance and maladministration from pharmacies. Please provide a breakdown of the total income generated from PCN as a result of this category of complaint for each of the previous three financial years.  Please treat this request as a Freedom of Information request._

##Response

__Question 1__ - _I would be grateful if you could set out detail of measures you have taken to address the poor customer service of your NHS contractors in regards to prescriptions? I would be grateful if you could set out the details of improvement training, development and guidance you have undertaken with pharmacy partners; what measures you have in place to address poor performance._

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. Any concerns about a specific pharmacy's service would typically be handled through individual patient complaints to the pharmacy in the first instance or escalated to NHS England (who commission community pharmacy services) or the relevant Integrated Care Board (ICB) for local oversight of quality and standards.

Having reviewed your request, I believe that it is possible that NHS England may hold some of the information you require. They can be contacted at:

NHS England

PO Box 16738

Redditch

B97 9PT

Telephone 0300 311 22 33

Email: england.contactus@nhs.net 
   
Web http://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/foi/ 

Following the announcement on 13 March 2025 regarding the disbanding of NHS England, please be assured that at this time they can be contacted for information as normal. 

More information can be found here: NHS England https://www.england.nhs.uk/

__Question 2__ - _the number of complaints and fixed penalty notices issued by BSA concerning poor performance and maladministration from pharmacies_

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. We do not monitor data on customer service complaints in regards to pharmacies.


Tags: customer service, pharmacy complaint
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02775

I am writing to confirm that I have now completed my search for the information which you requested. 
 
Request 
 
You asked us: 
 
I’m writing to submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act. 
  
For each of the last 24 months for which data is available, please could you provide the number of NHS Pension Scheme Members who have opted out of the NHS Pension Scheme, along with any ‘reason for opting out’ data that is collected, such as affordability, Annual Allowance / LTA etc.  
  
If possible, please provide a breakdown of the monthly figures between: 
 
a) Medical Staff under capacity code 03 

b) GPs, specifically 

b) Dental Staff under capacity code 08 

d) General Dental Practitioners, Dental Registrars. Consultant Dentists and Dental Surgeons, specifically 

c) other 
 
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 23 April 2025.  
 
We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.  
 
##Our response 
 
The NHSBSA does not hold the requested information split by the categories as specified in your request; however, we do publish a monthly report which provides data about employees in the Employee Staff Record (ESR) choosing to opt-out of the NHS Pension Scheme. 
 
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions/nhs-pensions-opt-out-data 

Publishing this response 
 
Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at: 
 
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02775  
 
Your personal details will be removed from the published response. 

Tags: NHS Pensions, Opt Outs
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02815

##Request

Please provide annual figures for years 2010/11-2024/25 on the number of courses of NHS dental treatment provided/FP17 forms recorded for asylum seekers and/or refugees. 

##Response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA  

 

Advice and assistance 

 

Although we do not hold the information you have requested, you may wish to contact the Home Office, as they may be the appropriate authority to provide the information you are seeking. 

 

Publishing this response 

 

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at: 

 

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02815 

 

Your personal details will be removed from the published response. 

Tags: FP17s
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02906

I am writing to confirm that I have now completed my search for the information you requested.

##Request

You asked us:

<p><i>I am writing to make an open government request for information as provided for under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would be grateful if you could return this information via email and understand that you are required to respond to my request within 20 working days of receiving it.
 
Please can you provide a breakdown of the number of 100-hour pharmacy contracts that have reduced their core hours under the changes outlined in the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2023. Please provide a summary of the number of pharmacies that have reduced their hours to:
<li>            the minimum permitted 72 hours</li> 
<li>            a range between 73 hours and 80 hours</li> 
<li>            a range between 81 hours and 90 hours</li> 
<li>            a range between 91 hours and 100 hours</i></li> </p>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 6 June 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. 

##Our response

Under Section 21 of the FOIA we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you. The information you requested is available from the web links below.

There are two datasets. The first one is the Contractor Details dataset. This can be accessed at this link: https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/contractor-details 

You can use the filter in column Y to determine which contractors have 100-hour pharmacy contracts.

The second dataset is the Consolidated Pharmaceutical List. This can be accessed at this link:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/consolidated-pharmaceutical-list 

This will provide you with daily and weekly hours for each pharmacy, so any changes in hours can be identified by simply comparing the relevant quarterly datasets.

There is a Data Dictionary describing each column of data once you select a time period (at the bottom of the screen)

Please see the following link to view the section 21 in full - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/21

##Publishing this response

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02906 

Your personal details will be removed from the published response.



Tags: 100-hour pharmacy, Pharmacy
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02820

##Request

Is it possible to confirm how many Scheme Pays Elections have been used for pension growth between 1.4.2015 to 31.3.2022. 

##Response

The information you requested is available at the following web link: 

 

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-01466 

 

We’re giving you this link because the information you have requested has already been published and is therefore available in the public domain Under Section 21 of the FOIA we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you. 

 

Please see the following link to view the section 21 in full: 

 

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/21 

 

Publishing this response 

 

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at: 

 

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02820 

 

Your personal details will be removed from the published response. 

Tags: NHS Pension, Scheme Pays
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-03081

##Request##
<p><i>Thank you for your reply to my FOI request regarding podiatry services in England. I wish to clarify and refine my request, as I believe the NHSBSA may hold relevant data by virtue of your role in administering NHS payments and processing treatment activity data.
Specifically:

1.	Tariff / Cost Code Data
 Does the NHSBSA hold or have access to any National Tariff Payment System (NTPS) data, Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) codes, or other treatment codes relating to podiatry (including but not limited to diabetic foot care, wound care, and nail care)?

2.	Payment Data
 In processing NHS provider payments, does the NHSBSA receive aggregated or itemised activity data for podiatry services that identifies:
•	Appointment type 
•	Location (community, outpatient, outsourced) 
•	Volume of appointments

3.	Data Reporting
 If NHSBSA does not directly collate podiatry activity data, please confirm whether such data is routinely shared with NHS England or NHS Digital (now part of NHS England).

4.	Confirmation of Scope
 Please confirm explicitly whether NHSBSA holds any datasets, codes, or cost structures that could be used to identify or estimate the number and cost of podiatry appointments in England.

I would be grateful if you could clarify these points, as the original FOI response appeared to treat my request as limited to patient-level or clinical data, whereas my primary interest is in the activity and cost datasets relevant to your payment processing functions.</i></p>   

##Response##
I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. 

We do not hold or handle any information whatsoever relating to podiatry services.

<strong>Advice and Assistance</strong>

Having reviewed your request, I believe that it is possible that NHS England may hold some or all of the information you require. They can be contacted at:

NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT
Telephone 0300 311 22 33
Email: england.contactus@nhs.net    
Web http://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/foi/ 
Following the announcement on 13 March 2025 regarding the disbanding of NHS England, please be assured that at this time they can be contacted for information as normal. 
More information can be found here: NHS England 


Tags: NHS provider payments, National Tariff Payment System, Podiatry Services
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-01922

I am writing to confirm that I have now completed my search for the information which you requested on 10 May 2024. 

##Request 

You asked us: 

‘I would like to know how many penalty charge notices have been successful on appeal using exceptional circumstances and what those exceptional circumstances were?’ 

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 10 May 2024.  

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.  

##Our response 

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHS Business Services Authority. Although there are exceptional circumstances where it would not be in the patient’s interest to apply a penalty charge, when the patient’s liability is established, it is not possible to accurately identify these cases. Our records do not clearly state that a penalty charge was closed due to “exceptional circumstances”, as that is not a category of closure. Even if colleagues were to manually look at each case, it would not be apparent as this is not clearly defined. If more than one colleague were to conduct a manual search of each record, they would be likely to interpret the records differently and, in all likelihood, would not record the same number of cases. 

##Exceptional Reasons 

An administrative easement may apply to the penalty charge, only where the patient has a compelling reason for having claimed exemption incorrectly. 

There is no liability for a penalty charge where a patient can show that they did not act wrongfully, or with any lack of care, in respect of the charge in question. 

A person who acted with a lack of care is defined as follows: 

The person avoided the original charge by being reckless or careless about their obligation to pay, i.e. they did not take the normal amount of care that could be expected of a person in their circumstances, for instance they did not check that they were getting the correct type of benefit, or that their certificate was still valid. 

A person who acted wrongfully is defined as follows: 

The wrongful act occurs when the patient or their representative claims help with NHS charges to which they are not entitled by completing and signing the declaration. 

##Vulnerable Patients 

It is policy to recover prescription/dental charges where exemption has been claimed incorrectly and to collect penalty charges and surcharges where appropriate. The NHSBSA will take into account the individual circumstances of patients and will deal sympathetically with patients who are in vulnerable groups. 

##Advice and assistance 

If we were to simplify things, we could simply determine that all cases where a penalty was closed/eased for any reason other than there being a clear valid exemption in place, please let us know by reply and this will be handled as a fresh request. 

Tags: Exceptional circumstances, Penalty Charges
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-02009

##Request

•	‘I am requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the implementation date of the prescription certificates legislation. 

•	Additionally, under the same Act, I would like to understand why I was not informed about my ineligibility for free prescriptions. 

•	Furthermore, I am also concerned about the information on my surgery's website, https://www.unity-health.co.uk/prescriptions, which is misleading. It does not specify which benefits qualify for free prescriptions and includes incorrect information, as it fails to identify the benefits that are eligible for free prescriptions. 

You subsequently clarified your request as follows:

•	I would like to know what steps the NHS took to inform patients about the removal of the Job Seekers prescription tick box. This change could lead to patients mistakenly thinking they are still entitled to free prescriptions, however now they require a certificate from their GP instead.

•	When was this change to the prescription exemption implemented, i.e., on what date was the tick box for Job Seekers Allowance removed?

•	Additionally, I am concerned about misleading information on my surgery's website, Unity Health Prescriptions. The site does not clearly state which benefits qualify for free prescriptions and contains inaccurate information by not identifying the benefits that are eligible. This issue is prevalent on many other surgery websites as well. Why have these websites not been updated, and when will they be corrected? Until they are, many patients, including myself, could potentially receive fines unless they obtain a free prescription certificate from their GP.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your clarified request on 8 July 2024. 

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

##Our response

1. Jobseeker’s Allowance (specifically Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance) is still available to tick on a prescription form. 
2. Jobseeker’s Allowance (specifically Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance) is still available to tick on a prescription form.
3. I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHS Business Services Authority. The linked web page is not managed by NHSBSA. Rather, it is managed by Unity Health, who are responsible for its’ content.

Tags: NHS Prescription Services, Penalty Charges
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log
FOI-01831

##Request

When a claim is received following the death of a person, is a death certificate confirming the cause of death as due to a Covid 19 vaccine sufficient evidence to award a payment?

Or would it still be necessary to request all medical records even when the cause of death is confirmed as due to a Covid 19 vaccine?

##Response

On 25 May 2024, we responded to your request. Although the information provided was correct, we have revised the response which is below. We ask that you disregard our previous response. Thank you for your understanding, and please accept our sincerest apologies.

All claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis by an independent medical assessor. 

Under the policy of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, a medical assessment for each claim can only commence once we have received full medical records from a claimant’s healthcare providers.

For claims on behalf of someone who has died, the independent medical assessor will look at the claim form, the vaccinated person’s full medical records, the vaccinated person's death certificate, clinical research, epidemiological evidence, and the current consensus of expert medical opinion. This ensures an appropriately considered outcome.

Please note that this request and our response is published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-01831



Tags: Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log