Request

To enable me to understand the rationale behind your decision making I would like to make a freedom of information request.

1. Under what circumstances would you categorised a mistake as a mistake where someone had not acted wrongfully.
2. How many mistakes have you acknowledged in the last year and how many PCN’s have you overturned?

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 3 August 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 (NHSBSA). We do not hold a definition of a mistake and therefore we cannot count how many cases when this has happened.

Advice and assistance

NHSBSA check if patients hold a valid exemption. Where our checks cannot confirm this, we issue an enquiry letter asking the patient to let us know if they were exempt. If the patient can confirm an exemption their case will be closed. If the patient cannot show they were exempt a penalty charge is issued. NHSBSA do not collect information about patient intention and do not hold the information to answer this request.

When claiming an exemption from paying for treatment (a prescription or dental treatment), patients have a duty of care and are responsible for knowing whether they have to pay. When claiming an exemption, a declaration is signed by the patient or their representative which states that the information is correct and that they understand a penalty charge notice may be issued if this is information is incorrect.