Freedom of Information

What is a 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 a FOI request

You may not need to make a request for information if it has already been published or if the information is listed in our Publication Scheme (also known as our 'Guide to Information').

Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

Submitting FOI requests using the form - impact of coronavirus on picking up mail

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, 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.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information held by Public Health Scotland

If you are looking for specific coronavirus (COVID-19) information e.g. statistical information relating to testing for example, numbers of tests carried out or numbers of positive results then please make your request with Public Health Scotland by using the email address phs.foi@phs.scot as this information is not held by NHS National Services Scotland.

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

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.

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

See previous FOI request responses

Make a new FOI request

The easiest way to make a new request is by filling in this form. 

• Title
  Other Mr Ms Mrs Miss Dr Prof
• Name
• Occupation (optional)
• Organisation (optional)
• Email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Fax number (optional)
• Full details of your information request
• Type of response required
  Email Letter Large print letter Braille letter

Postal address for letter reply

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

Other ways to make a new request

Email: nss.foi@nhs.scot

Phone: 0131 275 6449

Write:

Associate Director: Corporate Affairs and Compliance
National Services Scotland
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB

Provide:

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

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.