FOI/202600516637 · FOI · clarification
Adult neurodevelopmental assessment and support provision across NHS Boards correspondence: FOI release
Information requested
1. A copy of the letter, email, briefing, template, or other correspondence sent by the Scottish Government’s Director of Mental Health to all Health Boards seeking clarification on adult neurodevelopmental assessment and support provision.
2. The date this correspondence was sent.
3. A list of all NHS Boards contacted.
4. Copies of all responses received from NHS Boards.
5. Any summary, table, analysis, briefing, report, or internal document created by the Scottish Government using or considering the responses from NHS Boards.
6. Any recorded information showing what adult neurodevelopmental assessment and support provision each NHS Board reported having in place.
7. Any recorded information showing whether adult ADHD assessment, adult autism assessment, adult neurodevelopmental assessment, medication support, shared care arrangements, or post- iagnostic support were included in the information requested from or provided by NHS Boards.
8. Any recorded information showing what changes, improvements, further action, or policy work the Scottish Government identified as necessary after considering the Health Board responses.
9. Any recorded information showing whether this exercise was connected to funding decisions, monitoring of funding, waiting times, service improvement, or development of a national adult neurodevelopmental pathway.
10. Any recorded information showing whether the findings of this exercise have been published, will be published, or shared with the public.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the format you asked for.
The answer to your question is:
1. See attached: Q1 – 202600516637.
2. 6 March 2025
3. Ayrshire & Arran; Borders; Dumfries & Galloway; Fife; Forth Valley; Grampian; Greater Glasgow and Clyde; Highland; Lanarkshire; Lothian; Orkney; Shetland; Tayside; Western Isles.
4. See attached: Q4.1 – 202600516637 to Q4.14 - 202600516637
5. See attached: Q5 – 202600516637.
6. Please refer to attached: Q4.1 - 202600516637 to Q4.14 – 202600516637.
7. Please refer to attached: Q4.1 - 202600516637 to Q4.14 – 202600516637.
8. Please refer to attached: Q8 + 10 - FOI 202600516637
9. The Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested. In terms of section 17(1) of FOISA, we are required to notify you of this.
10. Please refer to attached: Q8 + 10 - FOI 202600516637
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 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy), 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), and 38(1)(b) (personal data) of FOISA apply.
These exemptions apply as the information contains internal policy development and advice to Ministers which had not been finalised at the time. Disclosing this information would be likely to inhibit the effective development of policy and the provision of candid advice. The information provided by NHS Boards will be used, alongside other evidence, to inform the development of the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitments in this area.
You may also wish to note that the data collected through this exercise has been used to support and inform ongoing work in this area. This includes the two recent cross-party summits on neurodevelopmental support, ongoing work with the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) to develop improved neurodevelopmental pathways, and delivery of the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to implement the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) four-tier model for neurodevelopmental pathways which will expand support to meet people’s needs, whether or not they have a diagnosis, and make accessing support easier.
The exemptions under sections 29(1)(a) and 30(b)(i) are subject to the public interest test. While there is a public interest in transparency, this is outweighed by the need to allow a private space for policy development and advice.
The exemption under section 38(1)(b) applies because the information includes personal data. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
In terms of section 17(1) of FOISA, we are required to notify you of this. Please refer to attached: Q8 + 10 - FOI 202600516637 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 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy), 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), and 38(1)(b) (personal data) of FOISA apply. These exemptions apply as the information contains internal policy development and advice to Ministers which had not been finalised at the time. The exemptions under sections 29(1)(a) and 30(b)(i) are subject to the public interest test. The exemption under section 38(1)(b) applies because the information includes personal data.