Correspondence regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
1. Any Scottish Government guidance, policy, or commissioning decisions relating to access to whole-body MRI within NHS Scotland.
2. Any documents that address:
- whether whole-body MRI is recommended, supported, or limited in NHS Scotland,
- and whether NHS Boards are expected to provide access for suspected myeloma or related plasma cell disorders.
3. Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and NHS Boards since 2018 concerning:
- MRI capacity constraints,
- prioritisation or restriction of whole-body MRI,
- alignment with NICE guidance on myeloma imaging.
4. Confirmation of whether there is a national policy position on whole-body MRI availability, or whether this is determined locally by NHS Boards
Response
Regarding parts of questions 2 and 3, I have enclosed a copy of some of the information you requested.
An exemption under section s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would involve releasing personal data of individuals which would contravene data protection principles under the UK GDPR and 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.
Regarding question 1 and parts of questions 2 and 3, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we do not have the information are explained in the Annex to this letter.
Regarding question 4, the Scottish Government does not have a national policy position on whole-body MRI availability. The Scottish Government expects all Health Boards to utilise all national guidelines available to them.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG