Request

I request the following information regarding the administrative and data standards of the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS):

1. Technical Data Definition: The official system manual, data dictionary, or guidance document used by the EIBSS to define the technical term "Visit" within the context of 1980s Patient Administration System (PAS) records.

2. Evidence Weighing Policy: The formal policy or guidance provided to Appeals Panels regarding the hierarchical weight given to contemporaneous digital audit trails versus a claimant’s unsupported memory estimates from 38 years prior.

3. Third-Party Enforcement: Any formal policy or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that permits the EIBSS to utilize the security infrastructure or email systems of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to communicate with medical claimants.

4. Set-Aside Procedure: The formal classification of a "Set-Aside and New Hearing" decision. Specifically, is such a decision classified as a "Formal" or "Informal" resolution within the NHSBSA Complaints Procedure?

Response

Question 1 - Technical Data Definition: The official system manual, data dictionary, or guidance document used by the EIBSS to define the technical term "Visit" within the context of 1980s Patient Administration System (PAS) records.

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.

The NHSBSA does not hold any official system manual, data dictionary, archived Patient Administration System (PAS) documentation or guidance document defining the technical term ‘Visit’ for the purposes of interpreting 1980s PAS records.

Question 2 - Evidence Weighing Policy: The formal policy or guidance provided to Appeals Panels regarding the hierarchical weight given to contemporaneous digital audit trails versus a claimant’s unsupported memory estimates from 38 years prior.

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.

I can confirm that the NHSBSA does not hold any formal policy, guidance, decision making framework or documentation prescribing how Appeals Panels should assign relative weight to different categories of evidence.

Appeals Panels exercise independent judgment on the evidence before them in accordance with the Scheme Specification.

Question 3 - Third-Party Enforcement: Any formal policy or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that permits the EIBSS to utilize the security infrastructure or email systems of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to communicate with medical claimants.

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.

The NHSBSA does not hold any formal policy, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreement, or documented authorisation that permits the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) to rely upon or utilise the North Sea Transition Authority’s email systems, security arrangements or enforcement functions.

Question 4 - Set-Aside Procedure: The formal classification of a "Set-Aside and New Hearing" decision. Specifically, is such a decision classified as a "Formal" or "Informal" resolution within the NHSBSA Complaints Procedure?

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. The EIBSS does not use or record a defined procedural classification described as a ‘Set‑Aside and New Hearing’ within its appeals or complaints documentation.

Where a complaint outcome results in a further appeal hearing being convened, the subsequent appeal supersedes the earlier appeal outcome.

Within the NHSBSA complaints procedure, the terms ‘Informal’ and ‘Formal’ describe stages of complaint handling only. The terms do not classify the nature of the remedial outcome.