Scottish Government’s National Treatment Centre programme: FOI release

Information requested

• The latest briefing packs on the Scottish Government’s National Treatment Centre program.
• All emails and communications around the delays for the Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Lothian, Grampian, and Tayside National Treatment Centres.

Response

In December 2023, due to budget constraints, the Scottish Government instructed all health boards to immediately stop development of all NHS projects not already in construction. While this included National Treatment Centres not in construction, this decision and instruction was not specific to the National Treatment Centre Programme.

A copy of some of the information you requested is in the Annex to this letter which includes relevant (within the scope of your request) excerpts from briefings and communications. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to that information:

s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice)
s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views)
s.25(i) (information otherwise accessible)

The reason these exemptions apply is set out below.

An exemption applies under Section 30(b) - Free and frank provision of advice and free and frank provision exchange of views

An exemption under Section 30(b)(i) and (ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested.

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 these exemptions. We recognise that there is some public interest in releasing this information however, there is a need for Ministers and officials to have a private space to seek advice, exchange views and discuss options before reaching a settled public view. Disclosing the content of such advice and discussions would substantially inhibit the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views in the future.

An exemption applies under Section 25(i) - Information otherwise accessible

Section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) exempts information from disclosure where the requester can obtain the information without asking for it under FOISA. The information you requested that is otherwise accessible can be found here:

NHs in Scotland 2023 DGHSC to PAC 9 August 2024
Written question and answer: S6T-01801 | Scottish Parliament Website
idcplg
Written question and answer: S6W-25165 | Scottish Parliament Website
Written question and answer: S6W-24711 | Scottish Parliament Website
Written question and answer: S6W-24710 | Scottish Parliament Website
Meeting of the Parliament: 01/02/2024 | Scottish Parliament Website
Written question and answer: S6W-24712 | Scottish Parliament Website
Major Capital Projects update January 2024
Major Capital Projects update October 2024 Scottish Government to PAC 16 October 2024

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500455051 - Information Released - Annex

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