December 2025
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requests that have been received by NHS 24 during December 2025.
FOI/00120 – Records relating to Belvidere Hospital and Victoria Infirmary (1995 to 1996)
Reference
FOI/00120 – Records relating to Belvidere Hospital and Victoria Infirmary (1995 to 1996)
Response date
03/12/2025
Information requested
The following information request includes ‘main’ files and ‘see references’ files, draft letters, documents as well as e-mails, memos and minutes of meetings relating to the undernoted request. All references relate to Belvidere Hospital from 1995 to 1996:
1. Detailed reports made for any refurbishment work where the removal or repair of asbestos was necessary;
2. Detailed reports made for any repair work where the removal or repair of asbestos was necessary;
3. Detailed reports of risk assessments for refurbishment work to be carried out;
4. Detailed reports of risk assessments for repair work to be carried out;
5. Asbestos surveys;
6. Asbestos registers;
7. Detailed reports of any remediation work that involved removing, covering or coating any asbestos products;
8. Detailed reports in respect of the type of structure that was used in the hospital buildings and residences;
9. Demolition records relating to the Victoria Infirmary.
Response
After reviewing your request, we have determined that it falls under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), as the requested information relates to environmental matters.
As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.
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, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.
We confirm that we do not hold the information you have requested. Under Regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs, a Scottish public authority may refuse to make environmental information available if the information is not held at the time the request is received. NHS 24 does not hold the information you have requested.
Regulation 9 of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 places a duty on public authorities to provide advice and assistance where possible; this also applies where that Public Authority does not hold the requested information. This duty is similar to the obligation set out in Section 15 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
In this instance we can advise the information may be held by the local territorial NHS Board where the hospitals are located. The FOISA contact details of each of the territorial Boards can be found via the links here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/freedom-of-information-foi/ please remember if requesting this information from the boards to submit your request as an Environmental Information request under the EIRs.
FOI/00122 – Access to health records
Reference
FOI/00122 – Access to health records
Response date
04/12/2025
Information requested
I would like to access all my child’s medical records
Response
NHS 24 has considered your request and concluded that the requested information is regarded as “personal information” under section 38(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
Therefore, because the information you have requested is your son’s personal information, for which you are acting on their behalf, it is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and we are refusing your request by way of a formal notice in accordance with section 16 of FOISA.
For your future reference if you are asking an organisation for personal data that they may hold, then you should submit it as a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR), that way they will deal with it as a DSAR and not an FOI which may help expedite the request process.
In this instance however, as NHS 24 is a telephone triage service we therefore only hold information relating to any calls you may have made to the 111 service regarding your son. If it is the medical records held by your General Practitioner and/or any hospitals you may have attended or any community health services your son may have engaged with, then you should submit a Data Subject Access Request direct to your GP and/or territorial Health Board respectively.
However, if you require information held by NHS 24, please confirm this by email at: DP@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk.
FOI/00123 - Anti-VEGF injections
Reference
FOI/00123 – Anti-VEGF injections
Response date
04/12/2025
Information requested
How many intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections were administered to patients in Scotland between 01/01/2024 to 01/01/2025? 2. How many intravitreal injections of each anti-VEGF type were administered during this time period?
Response
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold this information therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) of FOISA. NHS 24 is a telephone triage service in Scotland.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance wherever possible, this also applies where that Public Authority does not hold the requested information.
In this instance we can advise the information may be held by Public Health Scotland (PHS). If you wish to re-direct your request, you should send it to:
Email: PHS.FOI@phs.scot
Address: Corporate FOI team
Public Health Scotland
Gyle Square
South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh EH12 9EB
Or
Webpage: Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests
FOI/00124 – Budget for endometriosis
Reference
FOI/00124 – Budget for endometriosis
Response date
02/12/2025
Information requested
1. Any programme budgeting or internal costing that separately identified endometriosis (ICD – 10 N80)
2. Annual spend on endometriosis diagnosis/treatment (surgery, imaging, outpatient clinics, specialist centre budgets) for the last 5-7 years.
I am aware Costs Book is by speciality, and I am seeking any condition level internal analyse.
Response
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold this information therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) of FOISA. NHS 24 is a telephone triage service in Scotland.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance’ wherever possible, this also applies where that Public Authority does not hold the requested information.
In this instance we can advise the information may be held by NHS National Services Scotland (NHS NSS). If you wish to re-direct your request, you should send it to:
Email: nss.foi@nhs.scot
Address:
NHS National Services Scotland
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB
Or
Webpage: Freedom of information
FOI/00125 – Access to health records
Reference
FOI/00125 – Access to health records
Response date
04/12/2025
Information requested
Access to child’s health records
Response
NHS 24 has considered your request and concluded that the requested information is regarded as “personal information” under section 38(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
Therefore, because the information you have requested is your child’s personal information, for which you are acting on their behalf, it is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and we are refusing your request by way of a formal notice in accordance with section 16 of FOISA.
In this instance however, as NHS 24 is a telephone triage service we therefore only hold information relating to any calls you may have made to the 111 service regarding your son. If it is the medical records held by your General Practitioner and/or any hospitals you may have attended or any community health services your son may have engaged with, then you should submit a Data Subject Access Request direct to your GP and/or territorial Health Board respectively.
However, if you require information held by NHS 24, please confirm this by email at: DP@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk.
FOI/00126 - Number of employees suspended on full pay
Reference
FOI/00126 – Number of employees suspended on full pay
Response date
04/12/2025
Information requested
I would like to ask the following information:
1. In each year since 2020-21, including the current year to date, how many employees at this public body have been suspended with full pay? Where an employee’s suspension covers multiple financial years, please only include the year where they were initially suspended.
2. In relation to Q1, what is the respective salary of these employees?
3. Please provide as much detail as possible on why these employees were suspended. E.g. Disciplinary issues, poor quality of work etc.
Response
Thank you for your request dated 13 November 2025 for information relating to the number of employees suspended on full pay, their salary, and specific details around the reason for suspension made pursuant to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
NHS 24 has considered your request and confirms that it holds the information you have asked for. However, in instances where the number of staff involved is fewer than five, there is a risk that individuals could be identified from the data provided.
In accordance with section 38(1)(b) of FOISA, we have withheld specific details to protect the personal data of third parties. Disclosure of this information would contravene the data protection principles set out in Article 5(1) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018, particularly in relation to fairness, lawfulness, and necessity.
As such, where applicable, we have indicated “fewer than 5” to prevent the potential identification of individual staff members. This ensures we comply with the data protection legislation.
| Year | Band 2 £25,694 -£27,900 | Band 3 £28,011 – £30,230 | Band 4 £30,353 -£33,016 | Band 5 £33,247 – £41,424 |
Band 6 £41,608 -£50,702
|
Band 7 £50,861 -£59,159
|
Band 8B £74,003 – £79,164
|
| 20/21 | <5 | <5 | <5 | <5 | |||
| 21/22 | <5 | <5 | <5 | <5 | <5 | ||
| 22/23 | <5 | <5 | <5 | ||||
| 23/24 | <5 | <5 | <5 | ||||
| 24/25 | <5 | <5 | |||||
| 25/26 | <5 | <5 |
We have also withheld information relating to the reasons for suspension because we consider this to also be the personal data of one or more third parties. In doing so, we are relying upon the exemption available in section 38(1)(b) of FOISA as cited above.
Whilst NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible, note that FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions (exceptions) listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish public authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
FOI/00127 – Employee retention
Reference
FOI/00127 – Employee retention
Response date
04/12/2025
Information requested
With particular reference to the need to gather information on the retention of employees as measured by their length of service, I am writing to ask under the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 that the Board provides me with the following information on employees:
- The average length of service of all current employees expressed as a single figure in years and months
- The average length of service of all employees and allocated to 10-year groupings, i.e. up to 10 years, between 10 and 20 years, between 20 and 30 years, between 30 and 40 years, and between 40 and 50 years
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of sex, with an average for all men and another for all women [sex as defined by the Supreme Court in April 2025 as biological and binary]
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of sex, with an average for all men and an average for all women, and allocated to 10-year groupings, i.e. up to 10 years, between 10 and 20 years, between 20 and 30 years, between 30 and 40 years, and between 40 and 50 years
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of sex at the point they leave employment with the Board, with an average for all employees, an average for all men and another average for all women
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of ethnicity using these sub-groupings [BME – Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Group, Asian Pakistani, Asian Indian, Asian Bangladeshi, Asian Chinese, Asian Other, African, African Other, Caribbean, Black, Caribbean or Black Other, Arab and Other Ethnic Group – White Minority – White Irish, White Gypsy/Traveller, White Polish and White Other – All Other White British – White English, White Northern Irish, White Welsh and White Other British]
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of ethnicity using these 3 sub-groups [BME – Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Group, Asian Pakistani, Asian Indian, Asian Bangladeshi, Asian Chinese, Asian Other, African, African Other, Caribbean, Black, Caribbean or Black Other, Arab and Other Ethnic Group – White Minority – White Irish, White Gypsy/Traveller, White Polish and White Other – All Other White British – White English, White Northern Irish, White Welsh and White Other British], and allocated to 10 year groupings, i.e. up to 10 years, between 10 and 20 years, between 20 and 30 years, between 30 and 40 years, and between 40 and 50 years
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of ethnicity at the point they leave employment with the Board, with an average for all employees and average for each of the above three sub-groups
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of disability, with an average for all disabled people and another for all other employees not identifying as disabled
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of disability, with an average for all disabled people and an average for all employees not identifying as disabled, and allocated to 10-year groupings, i.e. up to 10 years, between 10 and 20 years, between 20 and 30 years, between 30 and 40 years, and between 40 and 50 years
- The average length of service of all employees according to the protected characteristic of disability at the point they leave employment with the Board, with an average for all employees, an average for all disabled people and an average for all employees not identifying as disabled.
In addition to the above, can you please explain why the Board has not gathered, used and published data sets similar to the above on the workforce in pursuit of the Public Sector Equality Duty?
Response
Thank you for your request dated 14 November 2025, made pursuant to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to the average length of service of NHS 24’s staff.
NHS 24 has considered your request and is pleased to provide the information requested, attached as Appendix A.
Please note the following:
- The information shared reflects the position of the organisation on 30 September 2025.
- At this time, we employed 2203 staff members.
- During the period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, 274 staff members left NHS 24.
- We have shared a breakdown of the staff composition as a percentage of the total workforce, and leavers as percentages of the total number of leavers, which is consistent with how we report data in our Workforce Equality Monitoring Report. The Equality and Human Rights Commission encourages public bodies to seek to anonymise data where staff groupings are low and publishing this information could lead to the identification of individuals.
- Some figures have been rounded up or down where appropriate, and this may account for some very slight differences in the data reported.
This is a full release of all the information you requested.
Response documents
FOI/00128 – State Hospital (Carstairs) patient statistics
Reference
FOI/00128 – State Hospital (Carstairs) patient statistics
Response date
08/12/2025
Information requested
1. How many patients/people are in Carstairs with a) a diagnosis (or primary diagnosis) of autism or b) with a learning disability?
2. How many of these patients (i.e. patients with a diagnosis of autism and or learning disability) were referred from the community not the courts or have not been referred following a conviction?
3. What is the longest period of time in years any of these patients has spent in Carstairs?
4. What is the longest period of time in days any of these patients has spent in Carstairs?
5. What is the average time they have spent in Carstairs?
6. And what are the ages of these particular patients?
7. How much does it cost the NHS each year to keep one of these patients at Carstairs?
Response
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold this information therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) of FOISA (Information not held). NHS 24 is a telephone triage service in Scotland.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance’ wherever possible, this also applies where that Public Authority does not hold the requested information.
In this instance we can advise the information may be held by The State Hospitals Board for Scotland (TSH). If you wish to re-direct your request, you should send it to:
Email: tsh.foi@nhs.scot
Address:
The State Hospitals Board for Scotland
Carstairs
Lanark
ML11 8RP
Or
Webpage: https://www.tsh.scot.nhs.uk
FOI/00129 – Employee/staff networks
Reference
FOI/00129 – Employee/staff networks
Response date
11/12/2025
Information requested
For your organisation, can you please provide me a list of:
- Employee/Staff Networks recognised by your organisation.
- Details of any funding provided to that network by your organisation or external source e.g. charity and how that funding has been spent for the past three financial years, broken down by year where possible.
- Details of any administrative support provided to the organisation, including a breakdown of time/banding of employee providing said support.
- Any facility/protected time that the network lead (chair, vice chair etc) gets as part of their role.
- Details of any executive/senior management responsibility for the network.
- A copy of the terms of reference/memorandum of understanding/network agreement for each network recognised by your organisation, where this document exists.
Please note, I am not looking for the personal details of junior employees. If the network has a shared email address, please provide this.
Response
NHS 24 has considered your request and is pleased to provide the information requested below:
Employee/Staff Networks recognised by your organisation.
There are two live Employee networks as follows:
Carers Network/Group
This group brings together staff members from across the organisation who are either carers themselves or allies. Its purpose is to enhance support, resources, and information available to staff with caring responsibilities. The remit also includes progressing Carer Positive awards. Additionally, the group provides input to the Staff Experience Group on matters that may benefit carers.
- Funding: Currently, the group has not received direct funding from the organisation or external sources. However, peer benchmarking and support have been offered free of charge by other NHS organisations. In 2026, we will strengthen collaboration with VOCAL, who will co-design manager training at no cost to NHS 24.
- Admin support: The Carers Group is led and administered by the Wellbeing and People Manager (Band 7) at NHS 24. This responsibility has been part of the role since 2023 as the organisation advances its work in this area. Approximately five hours per month are dedicated to this, supported by a Communications Manager (Band 6) for around two hours per month. There is no protected time for the chair (Wellbeing and People Manager), as this work currently falls under the remit of advancing NHS 24’s Our Wellbeing Matters strategy.
- Terms of Reference: At present, there is no formal Terms of Reference for the group. Therefore section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA applies.
- Exec/Senior Management responsibility: From a governance perspective, it connects with the Staff Experience Group and, through Workforce channels, feeds into the Staff Governance Committee in that way.
Anti Racism Staff Network
A collaborative group, established in November 2025 to support NHS 24’s commitment to tackling racism and promoting equity. The network will help implement and monitor the Anti Racism Action Plan, as well as create a safe and inclusive space for staff to share experiences and ideas and promote cultural diversity across the organisation.
- No specific funding
- Admin support provided by Engagement Manager and OD, Leadership and Learning Facilitator at Band 7, approximately 4 hours per month combined
- Facility/protected staff time
- Exec/senior management responsibility: We have joint Exec sponsors for the Anti Racism Action Plan, of which the network forms part, directors from both Workforce and Transformation, Strategy, Planning and Performance directorates. Exec leads do not attend the Anti-Racism Staff Network, unless specifically invited, to ensure it remains a staff led space. A member of NHS 24’s board is a member of the newly formed Anti Racism Staff Network.
- Terms of Reference – in draft format attached
Previous Employee/Staff Networks:
Menopause Group
As a test of change, a local menopause group was established at Lumina contact centre in 2023/2024. This group reported/fed into the local Staff Experience Group. The remit of the group was peer support and sign posting to resources. The group was led by the Wellbeing team manager in our Lumina centre. This group is no longer in operation.
- No specific funding
- No facility/protected staff time
No terms of reference. Therefore section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA applies.
Other Groups
In addition to the networks above NHS 24 host Staff Experience Groups as follows, open to all staff.
In 2023, we relaunched Staff Experience Groups (SEGs) across our service following a short pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The opportunity was taken during this time to review the groups and consider the best way to establish them locally within each centre. The groups represent all staff and are based at the following centres:
- Aberdeen
- Aurora (Clydebank)
- Dundee
- Cardonald (Glasgow)
- Norseman (South Queensferry)
Details of any funding provided to that network by your organisation or external source e.g. charity and how that funding has been spent for the past three financial years, broken down by year where possible.
NHS 24 provides no funding.
Details of any administrative support provided to the organisation, including a breakdown of time/banding of employee providing said support.
Administration support is provided by administration assistants who are Band 3, Team Managers Band 5, also work collaboratively with the chair. The time is generally an hour per month per centre.
Any facility/protected time that the network lead (chair, vice chair etc) gets as part of their role.
Chair undertakes this role as part of their duties, so time to do so is available and management time is planned accordingly.
Details of any executive/senior management responsibility for the network.
The Regional Staff Experience Groups report into Regional Head of Clinical Services.
A copy of the terms of reference/memorandum of understanding/network agreement for each network recognised by your organisation, where this document exists.
The following statement is a copy of the information regarding our Staff Experience Groups taken from the NHS 24 staff on 26/11/2025:intranet
“The purpose of our Staff Experience Groups is to support and promote staff experience, organisational culture and values across all centres, consider local issues raised by staff members and take forward actions to support improvements in staff experience. Each group supports and promotes a culture that encourages behaviours that will help us to maintain a working environment in which everyone feels included, respected and valued.
Each group has a lead, who has overall responsibility for their local group. An open invite goes out to all staff working within that centre to come along and take part in the meetings. Collectively the group and its members are responsible for developing actions and activities to bring about improvements. They also:
- ensure each centre identifies opportunities and challenges and proactive measures to ensure positive staff experiences for all
- proactively supports local communication and engagement with staff
- ensures improvements in our culture and values is at the heart of everything that we do
- supports the local delivery of the Staff Governance Standard.
Local groups are responsible for the development their local Action Plan, which captures and reports against all activities agreed by the group, and forms the core part of the meeting. The lead ensures a progress report based on the Action Plan is submitted to their respective Local Partnership Forum in advance of its regular meeting.”
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold some of the requested information and therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA. We have indicated in our responses where to section 17(1) of FOISA applies.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish public authorities to provide advice and assistance wherever possible, however in this instance we are unable to advise because the requested information is not held elsewhere.
This is a full release of all the information you requested.
Response documents
FOI/00130 – State Hospital (Carstairs) patient statistics
Reference
FOI/00130 – State Hospital (Carstairs) patient statistics
Response date
11/12/2025
Information requested
This request relates to your organisation as an NHS Board in Scotland.
For each of the last seven financial years (for example: 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25, or the last seven financial years for which you hold data), please provide:
1. Total expenditure
a) The total annual expenditure on translation and interpretation services.
b) Please confirm whether these figures include:
- Face-to-face interpreters
- Telephone interpreting
- Video-remote interpreting
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
- Written translation of documents and patient information
- Any other communication support services (please specify)
2. Breakdown by service type
For each of the same financial years, please provide the annual expenditure broken down (where recorded) into:
a) Face-to-face spoken language interpreting
b) Telephone interpreting
c) Video-remote interpreting
d) BSL or other sign language interpreting
e) Written translation (e.g. patient letters, leaflets, consent forms)
f) Any other distinct categories you use internally (please specify).
3. Breakdown by language
For each financial year, please provide any breakdown you hold of expenditure by language. If a full language-by-language breakdown is not readily available within the FOISA cost limits, please provide:
a) The top 10 most-used languages by expenditure in each year, with spend for each; or
b) The most granular language breakdown you hold in existing reports or management information.
4. Breakdown by provider
For each financial year, please provide any breakdown you hold of expenditure by provider/supplier, including:
a) The name of each external provider of translation/interpreting services; and
b) The total annual amount paid to each provider.
If you use internal/in-house interpreters or translators, please state this and, where recorded, provide the annual cost of in-house provision (e.g. staff costs, where these are separately identified in your records or management reports).
5. Volumes / activity data
For each financial year, please provide any activity data you hold, including (where recorded):
a) The total number of interpreting appointments/assignments arranged (face-to-face, telephone, video-remote) – ideally broken down by type.
b) The total number of documents translated (or, if you record it differently, any other available measure of volume such as number of translation jobs or word count).
If you do not hold this information in a reportable format, please confirm that this is the case.
6. Contracts and procurement arrangements
Please provide:
a) Details of any current contracts or framework agreements for translation and interpretation services, including:
- Name of contractor(s)
- Contract start and end dates (including any extension periods)
Whether the contract is call-off from a national framework (and, if so, which one)
b) The estimated or maximum contract value for each contract, where this information is held.
Format and FOISA considerations
- Please provide the information in an electronic format, preferably as an Excel spreadsheet or CSV file where possible, with clear headings for years, categories, languages, and providers.
- If you do not hold some of the requested information, please state which parts you do not hold.
- If providing all of the above in full would exceed the appropriate cost limit under FOISA, please:
a. Provide the information that can be disclosed within the cost limit; and
b. Prioritise items 1, 2, and 3 (total expenditure, breakdown by service type, and any language breakdown), and indicate which parts of the remainder (4–6) could be provided within the cost limit. - If any of the information is already available publicly (for example, in board papers or annual reports), please direct me to the relevant documents and page numbers.
Response
Thank you for your request dated 20 November 2025, made pursuant to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to Translation and Interpretation Services.
NHS 24 have considered your request and concluded that it does not hold all the information requested but has appended to this letter, the information which it holds.
Question 1 – please see Appendix 1.
* Telephone interpreting charges were not segregated out from a managed service invoice pre-April 2021 as such we do not have any detail on this for 18/19, 19/20 or 20/21.
** For face-to-face interpreting, video-remote interpreting, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting and other communication support services we are unable to segregate the spend by these classifications. We have disclosed the entire spend of the suppliers used for such services for Question 4.
Question 2 – please see Appendix 1.
Question 3 – we do not have a full language-by-language breakdown available for face-to-face interpreting, video-remote interpreting, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting, written translation of documents and patient information or any other communication support services.
In relation to Telephone interpreting, we are unable to disclose this information as it is commercially sensitive.
The only information we have to provide is the top 10 most-used languages by expenditure in each year for telephone interpreting. This is disclosed in Appendix 1
Question 4 – please see Appendix 1.
Question 5 – we do not have the information recorded that you have requested for language-by-language breakdown available for face-to-face interpreting, video-remote interpreting, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting, written translation of documents and patient information or any other communication support services.
In relation to telephone interpreting, we are unable to disclose this information as it is commercially sensitive.
Question 6 – there are no contracts in place for the suppliers used for face-to-face interpreting, Video-remote interpreting, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting, written translation of documents and patient information or any other communication support services as the spend is usually below our procurement thresholds.
In relation to telephone interpreting the contract is part of a managed service contract for a number of services. Start Date: 31/10/2025, End Date: 31/10/2026.
Where we are withholding information because we regard it as commercially sensitive, we are relying upon the exemption available in section 33(1)(b) of FOISA. Section 33(1)(b) of FOISA provides that information is exempt information if its disclosure under FOISA would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person.
NHS 24 is relying on this exemption as we consider that our commercial interests would, or would be likely to, be harmed by disclosure.
We believe that disclosure of the information requested would be likely to impact our ability to secure best value in the procurement of this contract in the future, as potential suppliers would gain a strong indication of the level of bid that might secure contracts of similar nature and scale, resulting in bidders submitting less competitive bids in future.
Whilst NHS 24 acknowledges the public interest in openness and transparency, we are of the view that, on this occasion, the public interest favours application of the section 33(1)(b) exemption.
In considering the public interest in favour of disclosure, NHS 24 recognises the public interest in disclosing information held by Scottish public authorities. However, having considered all the circumstances of this case, we are of the view that the public interest in openness and transparency is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining the exemption and avoiding substantial prejudice to NHS 24’s commercial interests.
The Section 33(1) exemption is a qualified exemption, so NHS 24 is required to consider the following tests in relation to that exemption:
- The Public Interest test
- The Harm test
The Public Interest Test
This test is not defined within the Act, but it is generally accepted to be ‘something which is of serious concern and benefit to the public’. NHS 24 consider that there is nothing within the withheld information which would further benefit the public interest and that, in fact, withholding this information is in the public interest to ensure that NHS 24 can provide health care services to the people of Scotland.
The Harm Test
This is generally accepted to be where disclosure would prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person (including, without prejudice to that generality, a Scottish Public Authority). NHS 24 considers that to provide commercial information of the type and detail requested would prejudice substantially the ability of NHS 24 to ensure good value to the public in the use of public funds. Providing cost and budget information may compromise the ability of NHS 24, when entering into a commercial agreement, to ensure that the value of the agreement is to the benefit of NHS 24 and the Scottish public.
Accordingly, this is a partial release.
Where we do not hold some of the requested information, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA (information not held). Whilst NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible, on this occasion, we do not hold all of the requested information and therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance’ wherever possible, however on this occasion we do not believe the requested information that we do not hold, is available from another Scottish Public Authority.
Response documents
FOI/00132 – Cataract information for Scotland
Reference
FOI/00132 – Cataract information for Scotland
Response date
19/12/2025
Information requested
Could you please provide information on the the following:
On an annual basis from 2015 to 2025, in Scotland and by Health Board:
1. How many patents were awaiting Cataract procedures?
2. What was the mean and maximum waiting time from Optician/Doctor referral to Consultant review?
3. What was the mean and maximum waiting time from Consultant referral to procedure(s) being completed
Response
Thank you for your request dated 21 November 2025, made pursuant to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for the following information:
Could you please provide information on the following:
On an annual basis from 2015 to 2025, in Scotland and by Health Board:
1. How many patents were awaiting Cataract procedures?
2. What was the mean and maximum waiting time from Optician/Doctor referral to consultant review?
3. What was the mean and maximum waiting time from consultant referral to procedure(s) being completed
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold this information therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance’ wherever possible. Therefore, in this instance we advise that Public Health Scotland may hold the information.
Should you wish to submit your request to Public Health Scotland you can do so via the following ways:
Email: PHS.FOI@phs.scot
or
Post to:
Corporate FOI team
Public Health Scotland
Gyle Square
South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB
Further information about how you can submit a Freedom of Information request to Public Health Scotland, including an online form, can be found on its website at:
FOI/00133 – Contract information
Reference
FOI/00133 – Contract information
Response date
17/12/2025
Information requested
I request information for your current provider of Telephony, voice, unified communications platform and contact centre.
Please could you provide the following details for any current contract(s).
- Contract title
- Start date
- End date
- Current supplier
- Total Contract Value
- Framework used (if any)
If any of the information is outside the scope of the FOIA, please answer what you can and advise & assist on the best way to uncover the remaining information.
Response
Thank you for your request dated 26 November 2025, made pursuant to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
NHS 24 have considered your request and concluded that it does not hold all the information requested but has included in this letter, the information which it holds.
Current Supplier
| Contract Title | Start date | End Date | Total Contract Value | Framework Used |
BT Global | EE Mobile Voice and Data Services | 30/06/2023 | 29/06/2028 | See exemption below | National Framework Agreement |
BT Global | Connect Services Agreement SFLA Lot 2 Agreement 2015 | 26/10/2015 | 27/10/2026 | See exemption below | Framework Agreement |
Coforge | SERVICES CONTRACT relating to the development and supply of an integrated CC/CRM system. | 12/10/2024 | 11/10/2029 | See exemption below | Services Contract |
Vodafone | Extension of 111 Services in Scotland and NHS 24 as a Cluster Member | 01/04/2025 | 31/03/2027 | See exemption below | Call-off Contract CCN |
Vodafone | Mobile Phones RM3808-Lot6-Vodafone Ltd | 04/06/2021 | Rolling | See exemption below | National Framework Agreement |
NHS 24 aims to provide information wherever possible. However, regarding the “Total Contract Value”, we do not hold this information, and this is subject to Section 17(1) of FOISA (information not held).
The contracts you have requested include a range of additional services within their overall scope. Because of this, costs are not itemised in a way that would allow us to provide figures for individual services.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
FOI/00134 – Staff use of pronouns
Reference
FOI/00134 – Staff use of pronouns
Response date
17/12/2025
Information requested
I’m writing to request information about your organisation’s position and practice regarding the use of pronouns by staff.
1. Staff use of pronouns
- How many staff currently include pronouns in their official work email signatures?
- If exact numbers aren’t held, please provide any monitoring, estimates, or internal data you have.
2. Organisational position
- Is the inclusion of pronouns in email signatures mandated, encouraged, or left entirely optional within your organisation?
- Please provide any policies, internal guidance, or communications that set out your approach.
3. References to external resources
- How many staff include a link to pronouns.org (or similar websites) in their email signatures or internal profiles?
- Does your organisation promote, endorse, or direct staff toward pronouns.org or similar guidance? Does your organisation endorse the content of pronouns.org?
- Please share any documents, training materials, or communications that reference or recommend this website.
4. Internal communications and staff responses
- Please provide copies of any communications or briefings sent to staff regarding the use of pronouns in email signatures.
- Has your organisation received any objections, complaints, or concerns from staff in relation to pronoun guidance or expectations?
- If so, please provide the number of cases and any summaries you hold, including whether any issues were raised by staff with gender-critical beliefs or staff citing religious beliefs.
5. Impact considerations
- Have any Equality Impact Assessments or similar assessments been carried out regarding your organisation’s approach to pronoun use?
- If so, please provide copies or summaries of these assessments.
Response
Thank you for your request dated 04 December 2025, made pursuant to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to the inclusion of pronouns within email signatures at NHS 24.
NHS 24 has considered your request and is pleased to provide a response to each of your questions, attached as Appendix A.
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold some of the requested information and therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA. We have indicated in our responses in Appendix A attached, where section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA applies.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Scottish public authorities to provide advice and assistance wherever possible, however in this instance we are unable to advise if the requested information is held elsewhere.
This is a full release of all the information you requested where it is held.
Response documents
FOI/00135 – Endometriosis budgets
Reference
FOI/00135 – Endometriosis budgets
Response date
29/12/2025
Information requested
I am submitting an FOI request for the following:
1. Annual programme budgeting on gynaecology services and procedures.
2. Specific breakdown of expenditure on gynaecology procedures (cervical screenings, laparoscopies, endometrial biopsies, transvaginal ultrasounds).
3. Manuel review of theatre lists for period of 5-7 years, identifying the number of procedures carried out in relation to endometriosis. Including cost per procedure/diagnosis.
I am aware Costs Book is by speciality. However, I am seeking a specific breakdown of costs related to gynaecology procedures.
Response
NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible. On this occasion, we do not hold this information therefore your request is subject to section 17(1) (Information not held) of FOISA.
FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish Public Authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
Section 15 of FOISA requires Public Authorities in Scotland to provide ‘advice and assistance’ where possible. We can advise you that in this instance, the information may be held by the territorial health boards in Scotland. If you wish to re-direct your request to each territorial health board, the relevant contact details for each are available via the link below.
FOI/00136 – Access to health records
Reference
FOI/00136 – Access to health records
Response date
29/12/2025
Information requested
Mental health records
Response
We confirm that NHS 24 does not hold the requested information. This is because NHS 24 is Scotland’s digital health and care service provider, and we only hold patient records relating to contacts with and made to NHS 24 services.
As NHS 24 does not hold the requested information, your request is subject to section 17(1) (information not held) of FOISA.
FOISA requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance’ wherever possible, and in this instance, we advise you that, based on the address information provided in your request, the information may be held by your local health board, which is likely to be NHS Ayrshire & Arran or by your General Practitioner (GP).
Should you wish to re-direct your request to NHS Ayrshire & Arran, you can email it as a ‘Data Subject Access Request’ to:
SubjectAccessRequest@aapct.scot.nhs.uk.
Further information on other ways to contact NHS Ayrshire & Arran can be found on its website at:
https://www.nhsaaa.net/website-policies/data-protection-notice/
Please note that in this case, the requested information is deemed as “personal information” as set out in section 38(1)(a) of FOISA, for which you are the data subject. If NHS 24 did hold the requested information, your request would have been exempt under FOISA and instead would be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) as a Data Subject Access Request.
We would suggest that if requesting personal data in the future, that you do so as a Data Subject Access Request instead of requesting it under FOISA. This would ensure that your request was directed to the correct team and may enable the responding organisation to process your request sooner.
FOI/00139 – Parental leave policy
Reference
FOI/00139 – Parental leave policy
Response date
17/12/2025
Information requested
I would please like to know:
1. Your parental leave policies, including paternity leave and pay and maternity leave and pay. If you have different policies for medical and non-medical staff, please include all different policies.
2. In the last three years for which you have data, how many staff members were eligible for paternity leave?
3. In the last three years for which you have data, how many staff members took paternity leave, and for how many weeks on average?
4. In the last three years for which you have data, what was the average salary for staff who were eligible for paternity leave? (If it is not possible to provide this, please provide the average salary for all the trust’s staff instead)
For queries 2 – 4, please provide separate data for medical and non-medical staff, but if this is not possible, please provide combined data for both instead.
If you are unable to answer all of these questions, please prioritise answering them in order.
Response
NHS 24 have considered your request and concluded that it does not hold all the information requested but has included in this letter, the information which it holds.
Outlined below are the responses to your specific request:
1. Your parental leave policies, including paternity leave and pay and maternity leave and pay. If you have different policies for medical and non-medical staff, please include all different policies.
Please see the links to the attached policies which are applicable to both medical and non-medical staff.
Maternity Policy Maternity Policy Overview
Shared Maternity and Adoption Leave Policy Maternity Policy Overview
New Parent Support Policy (Paternity Leave) New Parent Support Policy Overview
2. In the last three years for which you have data, how many staff members were eligible for paternity leave?
On this occasion, we do not hold this information therefore this element of your request is subject to section 17(1) of FOISA.
We regret that we are unable to provide the total number of employees (both medical and non-medical) who were eligible for support under the Once for Scotland New Parent Support Policy for each of the past five calendar or financial years.
Eligibility for support is determined by specific criteria outlined in the policy, which states:
- For new parents to access support: Employees must meet the service requirements and provide the necessary documentation confirming their parental status.
- For partners or secondary carers: They must meet the relevant employment and service criteria as set out in the policy.
While all employees who meet these criteria are eligible to access support, we do not routinely collect or record data on employees’ parental status. As such, we are unable to identify which individuals would meet the full eligibility criteria in any given year.
However, we are committed to supporting all staff in accessing their entitlements and ensure that comprehensive information and guidance on the New Parent Support Policy is readily available to employees and managers via the Once for Scotland portal which can be accessed here NHS Workforce Policies.
3. In the last three years for which you have data, how many staff members took paternity leave, and for how many weeks on average?
In the last 3 years within the date range of 01/12/2022 – 30/11/2025 there has been 35 instances of paternity leave. The average calendar days was 10 and average weeks is 1.49 weeks per episode/request.
4. In the last three years for which you have data, what was the average salary for staff who were eligible for paternity leave? (If it is not possible to provide this, please provide the average salary for all the trust’s staff instead)
Given we cannot provide details on who was eligible it is not possible to provide their salary either. Therefore, as we do not hold this information this element of your request is subject to section 17(1) of FOISA.
However, section 15 of FOISA, requires Scottish Public Authorities to provide ‘advice and assistance’ where possible. As such, to assist, we have provided the average salary for NHS 24 staff. This is as follows:
- 24/25 – £28,435.02
- 23/24 – £26,605.00
- 22/23 – £25,356.04
For queries 2-4 the data is combined with medical and non-medical staff.
As indicated above, we do not hold some of the requested information, and these are therefore subject to section 17(1) (information not held) of FOISA. Whilst NHS 24 endeavours to provide information whenever possible, note that FOISA gives you the right to recorded information held by Scottish public authorities, subject to the exemptions listed in the legislation. FOISA does not impose a duty on Scottish public authorities to create new information, only to provide the information which is routinely recorded and held.
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- Last updated: 30 January 2026