Freedom of Information

What is a Freedom of Information (FOI) request?

You have the right to request information from any publicly-funded body, including NSS. Alternatively, find out how to access your own personal information that NSS holds.

Before you make an FOI request

You may not need to make a request for information to us if:

it has already been published - check our previous FOI request responses and if you want to re-use information already published, read about re-use of public sector information on this page
if the information is listed in our Publication Scheme (also known as our 'Guide to Information')
we don’t hold the information

What information NSS doesn’t hold – and where you can find it

We don’t hold information about:

figures on COVID-19 attributed deaths - these requests should be directed to Public Health Scotland or National Records of Scotland
other COVID-19 statistics (for example, numbers of tests carried out or numbers of positive test results) – please contact Public Health Scotland at phs.foi@phs.scot
other Health Boards in Scotland including information on their performance
Your medical record if you are locally registered with a GP in your local area

For a summary of the information held by Public Health Scotland please visit the Public Health Scotland website.

See previous FOI request responses

Make a new FOI request

The easiest way to make a new request is by filling in this form. Please read the ‘before you make an FOI request’ information before you submit your request.

Title
Full name
Occupation (optional)
Organisation (optional)
Email address
Phone number (optional)
Fax number (optional)
Full details of your information request
Type of response required

Postal address for letter reply

Address
Address 2 (optional)
Town
County (optional)
Postcode
Country

Advice on information governance and cyber security

Visit the Scottish Government’s information governance website for advice on information governance and cyber security during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Other ways to make a new FOI request

Email: nss.foi@nhs.scot

Phone: 0131 275 6449

You can write to us, but please be aware that due to COVID-19, many of our staff are working remotely so we cannot guarantee that mail posted to us will be picked up. Instead, we ask that you submit any FOI requests using the form on this page, or by phone or email.

Address:
Associate Director Information Security and Governance
National Services Scotland
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB

Please provide:

your name
your address
phone number (optional)
full details of what you’re looking for

What happens next

How we will use the information you provide us

We use the information you provide on the form only for the purpose of responding to your request.

We keep your completed form for a minimum period of three years as defined in our Document Storage and Retention Policy. In line with NHSScotland guidance on records retention and data protection requirements, we may destroy these records, securely, after that time.

Please see our Data Protection Notice for more information.

When you’ll get a response

We’ll respond to all requests within 20 working days.

If your request is denied

In some cases, sensitive information is exempt and isn’t available to the public.

This includes information that is:

about to be published
personal and covered by the Data Protection Act
commercially confidential.

In those circumstances where disclosure may not be possible due to the application of an exemption, we still seek to release information in cases where the public interest overrides the exemption applied. We’ll always explain our reasons if we withhold information.

Reviews

If we withhold information, you can ask us to review our decision. If you’re still dissatisfied after our review, you can appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner who’s responsible for enforcing the Freedom of Information Act.

The Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations

These Regulations allow anyone to re-use information published or requested from NSS. NSS has created a Statement of Public Task, that describes this for potential re-users. This Statement should be read alongside the Statement of the Public Interest in Use of Confidential Health and Care Information by NHS National Services Scotland (NHS NSS) under the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality. In addition, section 23 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that all Scottish public authorities maintain a publication scheme setting out the types of information that are routinely made available. For more details on our publication scheme, see our Guide to Information. Information published under the publication scheme by NSS can be made available for re-use.

What is re-use?

Re-use means use for any purpose other than that for which the information was originally produced.

Where can I find out more?

The National Archives has published guidance and best practice advice on the regulations for public sector organisations and potential re-users.

In addition, section 23 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires that all Scottish public authorities maintain a publication scheme setting out the types of information that are routinely made available. For more details on the Scottish Government’s publication scheme, see our Guide to Information. Information published under the publication scheme by the Scottish Government can be made available for re-use.

How do I request information for re-use?

Please contact us via nss.foi@nhs.scot

Eilidh McLaughlin

Associate Director Information Security and Governance