Publication - FOI/EIR release

Audit Scotland report 'NHS in Scotland 2022' and related documents: FOI release

Published: 11 December 2023
Topic: Public sector
FOI reference: 202300345756
Date received: 8 March 2023
Date responded: 29 March 2023

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

All correspondence with Audit Scotland in advance of the publication of its report "NHS in Scotland 2022", and any email attachments, or other document versions, to be provided in full.

Response

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

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 exemptions under sections 30 B (i) (serious inhibition of free and frank policy provision of advice), 30 B (ii) (serious inhibition of free and frank exchange of views) and 38 (1) (b) (third party personal data) of FOISA applies to that information.

Some of these exemptions, those under section 30 B (i) and (ii), are 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 releasing this material as it reflects discussion around Audit Scotland's report into health and social care. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that advice and views can be shared on a free and frank basis in relation to policy development.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.