Requisitioned beds from private hospitals: FOI release

Information requested

A. How many hospital beds were requisitioned by the Scottish Government from private hospitals during the period 1st April 2020 to 15th December 2021 for use by NHS patients?

B. What was the total cost of the requisitioned beds from private hospitals for the period 1st April 2020 to 15th December 2021?

C. What was the total percentage usage of the requisitioned hospital beds from private hospitals by NHS patients for the period 1st April 2020 to 15th December 2021?

D. What were the categories of health service provided to NHS patients in requisitioned beds in the private hospitals during the period 1st April 2020 to 15th December 2021? For example cancer treatments, types of surgeries etc.

Response

Responses to the requested information are set out below.

A. 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 section 17(1) of FOISA (Information Not Held) applies to this information. This is because we do not hold information on the number of hospital beds requisitioned by the Scottish Government from private hospitals.

However, Outwith FOI(S)A, the information held on patients treated shows that 7256 NHS patients were treated in private hospitals during the period 1st April 2020 to 31 December 2021. This includes outpatients and those admitted for longer stays.

B. We are unable to provide some of the information requested because section 17(1) of FOISA (Information Not Held) applies to the information. This is because the information held is broken down by month and we are therefore unable to provide the costs incurred for the specified timescales in your request. However, the total actual costs associated with the utilisation of private hospitals for the period 1st April 2020 to 31st December 2021 was £34,716,704.

Outwith FOI(S)A, and for additional context, I have also provided details of additional estimated variable costs during this period. Variable costs, which include supplies and consumables, in November 2021 and December 2021 are estimated at £8,500, at the date of this response.

C. An exemption under section 17(1) of FOISA (Information Not Held) applies to the information requested.

D. Categories of health services provided include: Breast, Colorectal, Ear Nose and Throat, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthopaedics, Plastics, Spinal and Urology.

About FOI

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