Freedom of information

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) came into force on 1st January 2005.  The Act ensures that any person requesting information from a public body will receive that information, subject to certain exemptions. 

It encourages public authorities to be more open and accountable, and to organise their information in an efficient and accessible way.

The Act also required the NHS in Scotland to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme listing the types of information made available as a matter of course to the public - read the NHS Highland Publication Scheme - November 2018 (pdf).

A large amount of information is published on this website, including Board papers and minutes, and we are continually adding to it.

A significant amount of information and data is also published on NHS Scotland activity. This is publicly available data and can be accessed through a number of different resources.  We would ask you to investigate these resources before you submit a formal request under FOISA.  Further information on published information and useful links are in the section below.

Making a request for information from us

If you cannot find the information that you are looking for by searching NHS Highland’s website then you can make a Request for Information.  The following guidance should help you to make your request but please contact us using the email address here if you wish assistance with this.

Your request for information can be sent directly to NHS Highland’s Freedom of Information Team:

email: nhsh.foirequestshighland@nhs.scot

Or you can send your request to us by post to the following address:

Freedom of Information Officer
NHS Highland
Assynt House
Beechwood Business Park
Inverness
IV2 3BW

What information do we need to process your request?

When you request information from us you will need to provide us with enough information to ensure that we can process your request. To avoid unnecessary delays, you should include the following information:

• your full name
• your email address, or your postal address if you wish information to be sent to you by post
• your phone number if you wish us to contact you about your request
• a full description of the information you require, including date ranges.

What will happen to your request?

As soon as we receive your request, we will log and acknowledge this as soon as possible and provide you with a request reference number.  We may need to ask you for further information or clarification of the information you are looking for and we will do this as soon as possible.

The Freedom of Information Team with respond to your request within 20 working days.

Resource to published information and useful websites

Public Health Scotland Data and Intelligence

The Information Services Division (ISD) is now part of Public Health Scotland (PHS). PHS provides health information, health intelligence, statistical services and advice that support the NHS in progressing quality improvement in health and care and facilitates robust planning and decision making. Information published by PHS covers all geographical NHS Boards and encompasses a wide range of topics such as hospital activity, waiting times, cancer, emergency care, health conditions, prescribing and medicines, and quality indicators. The information is regularly updated.

COVID-19

A significant amount of information particularly in relation to the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic is available from Public Health Scotland. Information such as COVID-19 deaths, cases, daily hospital occupancy, vaccinations can all be found there, broken down by health board or local authority area.

National Records of Scotland

National Records of Scotland also publish information they hold related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular they publish information about deaths involving COVID-19 along with data and definitions.

Scottish Government

Scottish Government also published data on COVID-19 in Scotland from March 2020 to April 2022. The data published daily on COVID-19 are available in the Trends in Daily Data Excel files.

Scottish Information Commissioner

The Scottish Information Commissioner is the independent public official responsible for promoting and enforcing Freedom of Information law in Scotland.  See further information, guidance and resources about FOI.

Data Protection Statement

The information provided by you in processing your Freedom of Information request will only be used to process and monitor your request and to monitor NHS Highland's compliance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Environmental Information Regulations 2005.

See further information about our privacy policies.