Waiting time vow information: FOI release

Information requested

All briefings, progress reports and minutes/notes from meetings, about the government promise to have no year-long waits for treatment, from the last month? - We remain committed to ensuring no patient waits longer than 52 weeks by March 2026.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

Some of the information you have requested is available from the Public Health Scotland website, which can be found by visiting the following link - https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/nhs-waitingtimes-stage-of-treatment/stage-of-treatment-waiting-times-inpatients-day-cases-and-new-outpatients-3-february-2026/.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

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 an exemption(s) under section S.38(1)(b) – Personal data relating to third party of FOISA applies to that information.

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.

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 an exemption(s) under section S.30(b)(i) – Free and frank provision of advice of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.

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 the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because there is a demand for transparency in how the government operates, particularly around progress of the commitment of having no waits over 52 weeks for Scotland’s patients by March 2026. However, there is a stronger public interest in ensuring that policies and decisions are developed and implemented effectively. To do this, Ministers and officials must be able to explore all options and discuss them openly and thoroughly, so they can fully understand the potential consequences before taking a public position.

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 an exemption(s) under section S.29(1)(a) – Formulation or development of Scottish Government policy of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.

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 the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because there is a demand for transparency in how the government operates, particularly around progress of the commitment of having no waits over 52 weeks for Scotland’s patients by March 2026. However, this is outweighed by the need to protect Government officials’ ability to provide advice necessary for the formulation and delivery of policy.

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 202600506822 - Information released - Annex

File type

PDF

File size

3.8 MB