Manx Care committed to improving after data error

Manx Care has said it "deeply regrets" errors in the handling of a personal data request in 2024 and it is committed to improving its procedures.

It comes after the information commissioner issued an enforcement notice to the healthcare body after an information search was deemed to be "poorly focused" and "unduly" delayed.

In a statement, Manx Care said it was committed to complying fully with data protection laws and it took "any concerns raised by the commissioner very seriously".

A spokeswoman said the body "fully recognises the importance of timely and correct responses" and confirmed the number of requests were "steadily rising".

The notice was issued in relation to a complaint was brought to the Information Commissioner Alexandra Delaney-Bhattacharya in April last year, after a former Manx Care employee had submitted a subject access request.

The review found the searches were "poorly focused, not reasonable or insufficient", and Manx Care had "not adapted their searches to the types of personal data clearly specified in the request".

The commissioner also called for a review of how personal data requests were dealt with, following a warning over similar concerns in 2021.

Manx Care said there had been a delay providing the information in 2024 because the records search "was not sufficiently robust or targeted" and due to a "misinterpretation" of the information being sought.

The healthcare body said over two years it had considered processes to look for efficiencies, improved monitoring processes and reallocated staff resources.

But a spokeswoman said the number of requests had increased from 44 per month in 2022 to 70 per month in 2024.

She also confirmed in March 2025 it received more than 100 requests.

Manx Care would continue to improve practices to avoid any future issues, she added.

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