Breast Service review: communications with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/01979
Date received: 23 July 2018 
Date responded: 17 August 2018
 
Information requested

 

All correspondence, notes and minutes of meetings and discussions between the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the Breast Service review and redesign.

 

Please find some of the information attached.  While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance some of the information has been redacted as it is out of the scope of your request, or withheld because of an exemption under section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views).  The reason why this exemptions applies is explained below.

 

 

An Exemption Applies - Subject to the Public Interest Test

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested.  This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.  This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to discuss issues with external stakeholders before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view.  Disclosing the content of these discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, because these stakeholders will be reluctant to provide their views fully and frankly, particularly while these discussions are still ongoing and decisions have not been taken.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’.  Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.  We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. 

 

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