Request

I would also like to request the minutes of the meeting where the “ transfer out guide and application pack “ was approved and the consultation process undertaken.

On 20 March 2022 you clarified the following:

The policy document is “transfer out guide and application pack” this document was updated causing a financial loss to those who have paid into the scheme and do not have two years contributions. The change related to those who were able to transfer under club rules. For such a significant change to be made I would assume this would have followed an internal process of approval and consideration to those impacted. My request is to see the minutes of the meetings and those who considered the impact and the approval.

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 this is because, there was no change in Policy, therefore we do not hold minutes of meetings and those who considered the impact and approval, as no meetings or formal consultation took place.

We believe your request for information refers to the changes to the Transfer Out Guide and application pack made in March 2021, so it may be helpful if we explain why the changes were made.

The existing transfer out guide and application pack was amended into an editable format, to enable completion online and attachments to be made to an email. As part of the review process wording was added to make it clearer that the time limits for members with less than 2 years membership also applied to transfers to Club schemes. The amendments were made to the document on 11 March 2021, the current version is entitled ‘UK Transfer Out Guide and application pack-20210311-(V13)’ – which is available on the NHSBSA’s website. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2021-08/UK%20Transfer%20Out%20Guide%20and%20application%20pack-20210311-%28V13%29.pdf

To clarify, there was no actual change to Policy – changes to wording were clarifications of existing rules and changes to format were to enable easier completion online.

Please note that this response will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-23368

Your personal details will be removed from the published response.