can anyone advise me RE a FOI request to NHS OT

[billiejeanbob]

I am currently appealing parts 2 and 3 of dds statement via sendist. we have already had one hearing that was adjourned due to a request from the LA and the second hearing is booked for September.
The LA have submitted evidence from an OT that hasnt seen dd since last October 2013, dismissing my indie OTs diagnosis and recommended provision. Despite this diagnosis also being made from an NHS paediatrician, the NHS OT states that dd is globally delayed and that her motor skills can be improved by TA support, without any involvement from an OT.
Now I would like to submit a FOI request to the NHS regarding paediatric OT services in my LA. Would it be acceptable to ask how many SI OTs are employed, how many children are currently under their service and how many are on the waiting list?
Also I am unsure to whom I submit the request and if I can do it via email. is it better if I submit the request myself or should I ask a good friend to do so (she is willing)?
any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Unless your friend is acting for you (like a solicitor), I think only you can ask for this info. Go for it.

I imagine you ask the provider of the service, so either the NHS or your LA if they contract the provision. I thought all reports for Tribunal had a six-month life span i.e. had to be current. I would belt and brace - send an email and then, hard copy.

Our LA's response once was they didn't have the time or resources to reply. Good luck.

I did mine via the head of Virgin care for my area. My name is known to her (it's known to most people now) I told her what I wanted, she confirmed that was fine. Put in a request via proper channels and it was all very painless. The lea one however was a shambolic joke but I got what I needed

Anyone can make a foi request, so if you don't want your name known then your friend can do it as if it was from her.

great thanks for the advice.
I might aswell just do it myself, I'm sure they all know me as 'that' mum by now anyway!
I need to try and prove that dd was discharged from OT due to her OT leaving the service and dd being placed with the only remaining OT in the LA and so due to high case loads and long waiting lists she was discharged without any assessment.
can they tell me how many children are under the OT's care and how many are on the waiting list? plus how long the waiting list is?