National Treatment Centres (NTC) Programme Group Stocktake Reports: FOI release

Information requested

A copy of all the latest available National Treatment Centres (NTC) Programme Group Stocktake Reports for each of the NTCs which have not fully opened yet. Here is an example of a stocktake report you have previously released

https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/foi-eirrelease/2023/12/correspondence-with-nhs-lanarkshire-regarding-the-cumbernauld-nationaltreatment-centre-foi-release/documents/foi---202300348360---stocktake-reports-lanarkshire/foi--
-202300348360---stocktake-reports-lanarkshire/govscot%3Adocument/FOI%2B-%2B202300348360%2B-%2BStocktake%2BReports%2BLanarkshire.pdf

Response

We have interpreted this request to be inclusive of both Stocktake Reports and the analogous State of Readiness Report provided by NTC projects in construction. The majority of projects reported their most recent Stocktakes at the beginning of June. Ayrshire and Arran and Tayside reported in March as those projects were compiling business cases in the first quarter of 23/24. The state of readiness reports were produced for early December 2023.

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the attached documents.

Document number	Document title
01	NTC Ayrshire & Arran Stocktake submitted in March 2023
02	NTC Grampian Stocktake submitted in June 2023
03	NTC Lanarkshire Stocktake submitted in June 2023
04	NTC Lothian Stocktake submitted in June 2023
05	Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion replacement stocktake submitted in June 2023
06	NTC Tayside Stocktake submitted in March 2023
07	NTC Forth Valley State of Readiness report submitted in December 2023
08	NTC Golden Jubilee Phase 2 State of Readiness report submitted in December 2023

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 s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Annex

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

An exemption applies

Section 38(1)(b) – applicant has asked for personal data of a third party

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and contact details of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the 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.

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test

Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice

An exemptions under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to seek and consider advice and views from other officials before reaching the settled public position. Disclosing the content of free and frank briefing material provided by boards relating to capital spending, construction and workforce will substantially inhibit such briefing in the future, particularly because discussions on the issue relate to a commercially sensitive and ongoing matter. 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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice to other officials as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy, until the Government as a whole can adopt a policy decision that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good policy decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

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.

FOI 202300391384 - Information released - Attachments 1 - 8

File type

54 page PDF

File size

1.5 MB