NHS QIS Publication scheme (PDF, 243K, 35secs)
About this scheme
- Introduction
- About NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS)
- Preparing the publication scheme
- Accessing information under the scheme
- Information that we may withhold
- Our charging policy
- Our copyright policy
- Our records management policy
- Feedback
- Complaints
- How to access information which is not available under this scheme
- Classes of information
1. Introduction
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 requires us to adopt a publication scheme. This scheme set out:
- the types of information made routinely available
- how this information is made available.
The full version of our scheme can be opened using the link above and a summary is given below. The numbering used in this summary matches that of the full scheme.
This scheme has been approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner who is responsible for enforcing FOISA. We are also obligated to review this scheme from time to time.
2. About NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS)
This is the publication scheme for NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS).
NHS QIS was established in 2003 and leads the use of knowledge to promote improvement in the quality of healthcare for the people of Scotland. It performs 3 key functions:
- providing advice and guidance on effective clinical practice including setting standards
- driving and supporting implementation of improvements in quality
- assessing the performance of the NHS, reporting and publishing the findings
In addition, NHS QIS also has central responsibility for patient safety and clinical governance across NHSScotland.
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is part of NHS QIS and produces guidelines on clinical practice.
NHS QIS is the legal ‘umbrella’ organisation for the Scottish Health Council. The Scottish Health Council was established in 2006, and monitors NHS boards to make sure they are involving patients and the public in decisions about services, and taking account of their views.
The Scottish Health Council is covered by this publication scheme.
3. Preparing the publication scheme
When preparing or reviewing our publication scheme, we are obliged by FOISA to have due regard to the public interest in providing access to the information that we hold which relates to:
- the services we provide;
- the costs of those services;
- the standard of those services;
- the facts that inform the important decisions we take; and
- the reasoning that informs our decisions.
In preparing this publication scheme NHS QIS has:
- reviewed its routine outputs
- looked at the most popular areas of our websites as identified by the number of visits and downloads (in process)
- looked at enquiries received from the public (in process).
4. Accessing information under the scheme
We will respond to all requests for information from anyone. This includes any requests made for information listed in our publication scheme, as well as any other information that we have recorded in the course of our work.
Most of the information listed in our publication scheme is available through this website. Click here to access our search page. You can also contact us for printed copies that will be sent to you by post.
To request copies of documents listed in our publication scheme please contact:
Freedom of Information Officer
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
Elliott House
8-10 Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh EH7 5EA
Telephone: 0131 623 4300
Fax: 0131 623 4299
Email: comments.qis@nhs.net
When requesting information please include your name, address and telephone number so we can clarify any details with you.
Printed copies may be charged on a cost recovery basis. See section 6 – our charging policy.
Alternative formats
All the information we publish is available in:
- audio
- Braille
- large print
- and community language formats.
There may be a short delay before we can provide this to you, while we arrange for the document to be converted or translated.
Personal visits
Some information may be viewed in our offices. We recommend you make an appointment before visiting so we can provide you with the information as quickly as possible.
To arrange a visit contact:
Patrick Maitland-Cullen
Freedom of Information Officer
patrick.maitland-cullen@nhs.net
Or write to us at the address above.
We can make alternative arrangements if you have problems visiting our offices, so please tell us of your particular needs.
5. Information that we may withhold
Some information may be withheld if done so following strict conditions laid out in the legislation – this is called an exemption. An exemption may apply if the information is about to be published, or if we believe it is not in the best interests of the public that the information should be made generally available. Personal information will also be exempt. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act does not change the right to patient and personal confidentiality under the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and similar laws.
6. Our charging policy
All information contained within our scheme is available from us free of charge where it can be downloaded from our website or where it can be sent to you electronically by email.
We reserve the right to impose charges for providing information in paper copy or on computer disc – typically we do not apply these charges. Charges will reflect the actual costs of reproduction and postage to the authority.
In the event that a charge is to be levied, you will be advised of the charge and how it has been calculated. Information will not be provided to you until the payment has been received.
7. Our copyright policy
NHS QIS (and the Scottish Health Council) holds the copyright for the vast majority of information in this publication scheme. You can copy or reproduce the information in our documents for:
- use within NHSScotland
- educational purposes
- personal use.
You must not make a profit using information in our documents. Commercial organisations must get our permission before reproducing. In addition, our documents should be:
- acknowledged
- copied or reproduced accurately
- not used in a misleading context.
Where the copyright belongs to someone other than NHS QIS you must obtain permission to reproduce the material from the copyright holder concerned.
8. Our records management and disposal policy The NHS QIS Records Management Strategic Plan (Nov 2004) was commissioned to address 2 significant issues:
- the need for NHS QIS to be well positioned to meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
- the pressure of storage space within the existing office premises in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The definition of records includes:
- personnel records
- invoices
- payment records
- books of account
- memos
- reports
- letters
- minutes
- working papers for meetings
- other written or electronic items which are created or received and retained within the organisation.
9. Feedback
We will revise and update our publication scheme regularly, and welcome your comments and questions to help us do this. We would like to know if you found it easy to get information listed in the publication scheme, or not.
Please contact Patrick Maitland-Cullen by email at patrick.maitlandc@nhshealthquality.org, or by writing to the address listed in section 2.
10. Complaints
If you wish to complain about our publication scheme or about the response you have received please contact Patrick Maitland-Cullen in the first instance.
If you are still unhappy with how we have dealt with your request, or if you don't agree with our response to your request for information you can complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Please contact:
Kevin Dunion
Scottish Information Commissioner
Telephone: 01334 464 610
Email: enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info
Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info
11. How to access information which is not available under this scheme
The publication scheme lists information that we make publicly available as a matter of course, but under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, all information that we hold can be requested. Please contact us if you would like to see information that is not listed in our publication scheme.
12. Classes of Information
A lot of the information we hold is made publicly available as soon as it is published. This information is grouped into these broad classes:
(a) NHS QIS: who we are
Information on the structure, organisation and responsibilities within NHS QIS and the Scottish Health Council.
(b) Corporate information/governance
Information on the corporate governance of NHS QIS (and Scottish Health Council) and on the overall performance of the NHS QIS board.
(c) Financial information
Information on the finances of NHS QIS.
(d) The Policy framework for NHS QIS (and the Scottish Health Council)
Information on NHS QIS policies and on the services provided, the standards/targets to be maintained and key performance indicators and certain information related to the costs of, and investment in, these services.
The Scottish Health Council policy framework is included.
(e) Improvement, change and innovation
Information on NHS QIS plans for changes to and innovations in the delivery of services.
(f) Reports of independent assessments and reports or guidelines issued by NHS QIS including the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (and the Scottish Health Council).
Information on reports of independent assessments of NHS QIS (and Scottish Health Council) plus reports on other bodies and guidance produced by NHS QIS (and Scottish Health Council).
(g) Patient focus/public involvement
Consultation procedures, timescales and how you can become involved. It also contains consultation documents/publications and details of the public responses to consultation.
(h) Policies and procedures
Information on the policies and procedures of NHS QIS (and Scottish Health Council) which are primarily, but not exclusively, focused on the internal service delivery functions of the board.
(i) Complaints procedures
Information on the complaints procedures for NHS QIS (and Scottish Health Council).
(j) Staff governance
Information on the employment policies and procedures of NHS QIS (and Scottish Health Council).
(k) Press releases
Information on our communications with the press and media.
(l) Public health
information we have made available on the health of Scotland’s population.
(m) Environmental information
Please note that the topic this class of information is designed for is covered in the case of NHS QIS by class (h) policies and procedures.
