Freedom of Information (FOISA)

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 was introduced by the Scottish Parliament to ensure that people have the right to access information held by Scottish public authorities.

The Act states that any person can receive information that they request from a public authority, subject to certain exemptions such as protection of personal data and commercial interests, or national security.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires NHS Tayside to maintain an approved publication scheme. NHS Tayside has adopted the model publication scheme, which was produced and approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner. The link below takes you to the document which is a PDF.

Model Publication Scheme - Guide for Scottish Public Authorities

Adopting this scheme commits us to producing a guide to information.
The guide to information describes the classes of information that NHS Tayside routinely makes available and tells the public how to access the information. It allows the public to see what information we have available and explains fully how they can request further information not already been published, and whether information is available free, or if there is a charge for the information.

Our aim is to make information we hold easily available and to explain how you may access this information.

Download a copy of the NHS Tayside Guide to Information in PDF format.

A significant amount of information and data on NHS Scotland's activity is already publicly available through a number of sources, and we would ask you to investigate these first before you submit a formal request under FOISA.

Healthcare activity and waiting times data:

Data on activity and waiting times is regularly captured within administration systems across the NHS. Public Health Scotland gather this information and are a recognised producer of Official Statistics in Scotland, working to the Code of Practice for Statistics. Nationally agreed coding systems and application of the clinical coding process are used to ensure data is recorded consistently and accurately in various national datasets. Rule based clinical classification systems such as OPCS Classification of Interventions and Procedures and ICD International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems are used to consistently code and compare in-patient and day-case information nationwide for statistical purposes.

The following link provides background information on Health Intelligence and Data Management across Scotland:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/resources-and-tools/health-intelligence-and-data-management/

Useful links for frequent requests and published information:

Local publication:

NHS Tayside's Waiting Times for Inpatient Procedure or Outpatient Appointment

https://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/PROD_303399/index.htm

National publications:

National Waiting Times Publications including Inpatient and Outpatient Stage of Treatment, A&E, Cancer, Diagnostic Tests, Child & Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS), Psychological Therapies, Drug & Alcohol Treatment, Chronic Pain, and IVF:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/?ic=topics-waiting-times&q=&fq=topics%3AWaiting+times%23&sort=pdesc


National A&E and Hospital Care Reporting on Activity and Beds Publications:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/?ic=topics-hospital-care&q=&fq=topics%3AHospital+care%23&sort=pdesc

National Delayed Discharge Publications:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/?ic=topics-delayed-discharges&q=&fq=topics%3ADelayed+discharges%23&sort=pdesc


Links to national open data publicly available from Public Health Scotland:

Inpatient and Outpatient Stage of Treatment Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/stage-of-treatment-waiting-times

A&E Activity and Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/monthly-accident-and-emergency-activity-and-waiting-times

Cancer Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/cancer-waiting-times

8 Key Diagnostic Test Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/diagnostic-waiting-times

Cancelled Planned Operations

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/cancelled-planned-operations

CAMHS Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-waiting-times

Psychological Therapies Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/psychological-therapies-waiting-times

Drug & Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-waiting-times

IVF Waiting Times

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/ivf-waiting-times-in-scotland

Inpatient and Outpatient Activity, and Hospital Bed Numbers

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/group/acute-hospital-activity

Delayed Discharges

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland

NHS Tayside Website

A significant amount of information in relation to the activities of NHS Tayside is already published on this website. This includes papers and minutes presented to the NHS Board and committees, annual accounts, financial reports, policies, and other corporate information.