FOI 2026/1738

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Please provide the following information in relation to neurodevelopmental services (Autism and ADHD) commissioned or funded by your Integrated Care Board:

1. Independent Sector Provision

a) Please provide a list of all independent providers currently:

• contracted,
• accredited, or
• otherwise delivering services (including on a non-contracted or ad hoc basis)  – Any provider that invoiced for activity in March 2026
  to undertake Autism and/or ADHD assessments on behalf of the ICB.

2. Indicative Activity Plan (IAP) Allocation

a) Please provide a list of providers and the total Indicative Activity Plan (IAP) allocation assigned to each provider for the 2026/27 financial year.

b) For each provider, please provide a breakdown of the IAP allocation, where available, including:

• Autism assessments
• ADHD assessments
• ADHD medication initiation, titration, and review services

c) Where possible, please further distinguish the above activity by:

• Adults
• Children and Young People (CYP)

1.Contracted provider are Optimise, Axia and Serene Consultants Ltd

There are no accredited providers in NHS GM

Those currently providing non-contractual activity are:

2. The requested information is withheld under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of the organisations involved.

Section 43(2) – Prejudice to Commercial Interests

Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it)”.

Indicative Activity Plan allocations form part of contractual and operational arrangements between the commissioning body and individual providers. These allocations reflect provider-specific capacity, activity assumptions, and service delivery models.

Public interest test

Factors favouring disclosure.

There is an inherent public interest in ensuring that there is openness and transparency in the spending of public money. Transparency is likely to increase confidence in procurement processes and the purchasing decisions made by NHS GM. It also enables the public to understand whether NHS GM was getting value for money from its purchasing decisions.

Factors favouring non-disclosure.

Disclosure of provider-level allocations would reveal commercially sensitive information relating to operational capacity and market position, which could disadvantage providers in a competitive environment, including in future commissioning and procurement processes.

Releasing this information would prejudice the commercial interests of both the ICB and its commissioned providers by revealing commissioning strategy, negotiating positions, and commercially sensitive data. Protecting commercially sensitive information permits fair and effective commissioning and system management, ensuring that healthcare services are commissioned and delivered effectively

Balancing Test.

After considering the arguments outlined above, we have decided to withhold this information as the public interest in maintaining the exemptions outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Consideration has also been given to Section 36(2)(c) of the Act, which relates to prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs.

Section 36 – Prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs

The Minister responsible for the Freedom of Information in the Department of Health has authorised the senior person in charge of the National Health Service bodies to act as ‘Qualified Persons’ and under Section 5 of the National Health Service Act 1977 this is the Chief Executive. Under the Section 36 exemption, the ‘qualified person’ for NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) is Professor Colin Scales, Acting Chief Executive.

Professor Scales is of the opinion that the information should be withheld as he considers that it would, or would be likely to prejudice, the effective conduct of public affairs.

Disclosure of the information would, or would be likely to:

(c)  prejudice, the effective conduct of public affairs.

Disclosure of provider-specific IAP allocations would be likely to affect the ability of the commissioning body to manage services effectively.

Public Interest Test

Factors favouring disclosure.

Openness and transparency: It is important that NHS GM acknowledges their responsibility to be open, transparent and accountable. Transparency is likely to increase confidence in procurement processes and the purchasing decisions made by NHS GM.

Factors favouring non-disclosure.

Disclosure would be likely to affect the ability of the commissioning body to manage services effectively, including demand management and ongoing engagement with providers. Indicative allocations are subject to change and do not represent guaranteed levels of activity; disclosure may therefore lead to misinterpretation and impact service planning.

Balancing Test.

It is the decision of NHS GM that the public interest at this time lies in non-disclosure of the information for the reasons outlined above. NHS GM consider that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosure.