GP walk-in clinic correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

Since 1 August 2025 – any internal email correspondence sent by or to Health Ministers, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, and the First Minister or their officials and/or SPADS relating to plans to establish 15 GP walk-in clinics. This should include but not be limited to all emails containing the phrase “walk-in”.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because an exemption under section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies as the documents within scope are pre-policy advice to ministers. Exemptions also apply to correspondence under Section 30(b) - free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views and Section 38(1)(b) – personal information.

Information is exempt under section 29(1)(a) if it relates to the formulation or development of government policy. This means any policy of the Scottish Administration, but includes UK Government policy if created before 1 July 1999. 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.

Information is exempt under sections 30(b) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. 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.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party. Disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

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 202500492116 - Information released - Annex

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