Respiratory care information: FOI release

Information requested

1. Please provide any correspondence on the standardisation and reduction of variation in diagnostic pathways for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).

2. Please provide information on the Health Boards that have plans for new diagnostic hubs or localitybased assessment centers that have implemented good practice from specialist nursing teams for assessment, diagnostics, results, and initiation of therapy within 48 hours, with a waiting time of six weeks, as referenced in this plan.

3. Please provide all information on plans or progress toward a national service level agreement for the direct provision of CPAP machinery and consumables to patients.

4. Please identify the individual or team responsible for the Respiratory Care Plan.

5. Please provide information on which Health Boards are represented in the Workstream Group.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested which I have detailed below.

1. Please provide any correspondence on the standardisation and reduction of variation in diagnostic pathways for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. The reason why we don't have the information is because we have not received any correspondence on the standardisation and reduction of variation in diagnostic pathways for OSA.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

2. Please provide information on the Health Boards that have plans for new diagnostic hubs or locality-based assessment centers that have implemented good practice from specialist nursing teams for assessment, diagnostics, results, and initiation of therapy within 48 hours, with a waiting time of six weeks, as referenced in this plan.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information because we do not collect the information requested.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

3. Please provide all information on plans or progress toward a national service level agreement for the direct provision of CPAP machinery and consumables to patients.

In Scotland, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and sleep therapy services for the NHS are provided through contracts managed by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). The most recent contract was awarded in December 2024, which runs until December 2028 for a term of four years. This contract covers the supply and delivery of CPAP and NIV (Non-Invasive Ventilation) devices, interfaces, and associated consumables to all NHS Scotland Health Boards.

Details of the contract awarded in December 2024 can be found on NHS NSS website at: View Contract - Public Contracts Scotland.

4. Please identify the individual or team responsible for the Respiratory Care Plan.

The Long Term Conditions Unit in the Scottish Government has policy oversight on the delivery of the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland.

5. Please provide information on which Health Boards are represented in the Workstream Group.

The Scottish Respiratory Advisory Committee membership consist of experts in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; asthma; bronchiectasis; obstructive sleep apnoea and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as well as representation from Public Health Scotland; Scottish Pulmonary Rehabilitation Advisory Group; Pharmacy; Physiotherapy and third sector.

The following NHS Boards are represented on the group:

• NHS Education for Scotland;
• NHS Grampian;
• NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde;
• NHS Lothian;
• NHS Tayside

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.