The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 allows any member of the public to request information from a public authority, such as NHS National Services Scotland. The Act promotes general access to information by recognising that the public have a right to understand how public authorities are organised, what services they provide, and the reasons behind their business decisions. The Act encourages us to be open and accountable and to organise information so that it is easily accessible to anyone who requests it. The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 also allows access to environmental information held by NHS National Services Scotland. You can submit a request for environmental information through the same process as an FOI request.
We must provide the information you request within 20 working days unless that information is exempt under the Act. In some situations, information may be withheld from the public. This will include information that is about to be published, personal information covered by the Data Protection Act, or information that is not in the public interest to be made generally available. If we decide to withhold information, we will give reasons for our decision. If you are dissatisfied with our response you can ask us to review it, and if you are still dissatisfied you can appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner, who is responsible for enforcing the Act. For more information about your rights visit www.itspublicknowledge.info.