1. Please tell me how much is owed to the trust by overseas visitor patients (this is for all years, not just 2019).
£453,210
2. Please tell me the largest amount owed to date by one patient.
£41,284.00
3. If possible, please tell me which year, they were treated in, which department and their country of nationality.
Treated in 2017/18 FY. Department was Rehabilitation. The patient is a Non-EU resident.
4. Please tell me how many overseas visitor managers and overseas visitor officers are currently employed by the trust.
Overseas Visitors Managers – Less than 5
Overseas Visitor Officers – Less than 5
Please note that we are unable to provide the data for categories where there are less than 5 individuals involved in the question, as the disclosure of data could lead to an individual being identified or personal data being disclosed in breach of the Data Protection Act.
5. Please tell me whether the trust contracts any debt collection firms to collect the money from overseas patients who owe money to the trust.
YES
6. If possible, please provide the names of these firms.
CCI Credit Management
7. If possible, please state how much the trust paid to these debt collection firms in 2018/19.
This information is exempt under section 43 (commercial interests) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of those involved.
Section 43 is a qualified exemption which means the Trust must undertake a public interest test. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has considered the public interest in disclosing this information and while it is in the public interest to disclose information that informs the public of how we spend our money, especially where this relates to the provision of public services, we have determined that the prejudice arising from disclosure outweighs the benefit to the public in this instance. Disclosure of the contract value could result in a competitive disadvantage to the supplier and could damage the supplier’s and the Trust’s commercial interests.
8. Please state how much was collected by the trust from overseas visitors in a) 2018/19 and b) 2017/19
Amount recouped from overseas visitors in 2017/18: £75,000
Amount recouped from overseas visitors in 2018/19: £76,000