Correspondence relating to the "Surge and Winter Preparedness in Health and Social Care Services – National Planning Priorities and Principles" document: FOI release

Information requested

Any internal email correspondence sent in 2025 by Ministers and officials relating to the preparation of the document “Surge and Winter Preparedness in Health and Social Care Services – National Planning Priorities and Principles".

Response

Please find attached as part of this response, internal email correspondence relating to the preparation of the "Surge and Winter Preparedness in Health and Social Care Services – National Planning Priorities and Principles" document.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance there are a small number documents we are unable to provide as they are direct advice to Ministers. These constitute exemptions under section Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA regarding Ministerial communications. Personal data has also been redacted in line with section 38(1)(b).

The Section 30(b)(ii) 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. We recognise that there is some public interest in release as part of being an open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing ministers and policy stakeholders reasonable space to provide free and frank advice and feedback on the winter preparedness plan 2024-25 and associated briefings, and that the published winter plan and ministerial statement delivered by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care as part of the plan’s publication, takes this feedback into account and is also accessible in the public domain.

The "Surge and Winter Preparedness in Health and Social Care Services – National Planning Priorities and Principles" document was published on the Scottish Government website in November 2025. It was produced in partnership with COSLA and sets out national planning priorities and principles to guide local systems in developing their surge and winter preparedness plans, ensuring that people in Scotland receive safe and timely access to health and social care services.

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 202500493764 - Information released - Document 1

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