FOI/202600529341 · FOI · already published
Non-Surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 information: FOI release
Information requested
You asked for information concerning the assessment, verification and use of evidence during the development of the Non-Surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 and its associated policy proposals.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the format you asked for.
Your request is for information already published or not held.
Part One
You requested ‘copies of any evidence matrix, evidence table, literature review, appraisal, briefing, assessment or other record showing:
1. which sources were considered when developing each practitioner, procedure and premises restriction;
2. the geographical relevance of each source;
3. the age of each source;
4. whether the information was peer-reviewed, independently verified, self-reported or anecdotal;
5. any methodological limitations identified; and
6. the weight or evidential value assigned to each source.
All evidence considered by the Scottish Government during the development of The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill was previously published in response to a Freedom of Information Request in April this year. This information can be accessed via the following link:
Non-Surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill information: FOI release - gov.scot
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact us again and I will send you a paper copy.
Part Two
You requested copies of any recorded assessment of whether the evidence disclosed under FOI/202600508661 provided:
1. reliable Scotland-wide complication figures;
2. complication rates calculated against the number of procedures performed;
3. verified information identifying the professional background of the person who performed the original procedure;
4. comparative complication rates between statutory healthcare professionals and independent aesthetic practitioners; or
5. evidence establishing that statutory healthcare registration independently predicts safer outcomes.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. As such, this is a notice under s17 of FOI(S)A that the Scottish Government does not hold the information that you have requested.
Part Three
You requested copies of any recorded explanation of how evidence concerning:
1. cosmetic surgery;
2. procedures performed outside Scotland;
3. cosmetic tourism;
4. liposuction or other surgical procedures; or
5. unverified reports supplied by professional or commercial organisations was considered relevant to restrictions upon independent aesthetic practitioners performing non-surgical procedures in Scotland.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. As such, this is a notice under s17 of FOI(S)A that the Scottish Government does not hold the information that you have requested. The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 does not cover the types of procedures you have listed and as such evidence on these matters were not considered as part of the policy development process.
Part Four
You requested copies of all information, data, reports, case figures, complaint figures, survey results, presentations or submissions supplied to the Scottish Government by Save Face concerning non-surgical cosmetic procedure complications, practitioner safety or the regulation of practitioners in Scotland.
For each item supplied by Save Face, please provide recorded information showing:
1. whether the Scottish Government independently verified the cases or figures;
2. whether the identity or professional registration status of the original practitioner was verified;
3. whether the location and date of the treatment were verified;
4. whether duplicate reports were identified and removed;
5. whether the total number of procedures performed by each practitioner group was known;
6. whether the information related specifically to Scotland; and
7. whether officials recorded any limitations, reservations or cautions concerning the information.
All correspondence between the Scottish Government and Save Face from 1 January 2016 is available as part of a published response made to a previous request made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This is available at the following link - Save Face correspondence relating to the regulation of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures: FOI release - gov.scot.
In relation to your follow up requests ordered a) to g), the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. As such, this is a notice under s17 of FOI(S)A that the Scottish Government does not hold the information that you have requested.
Part Five
You requested copies of any correspondence between the Scottish Government and Save Face seeking larification, supporting records, case verification, methodology, definitions or substantiation of figures supplied by Save Face.
You also requested copies of any record showing whether Save Face information was treated as:
1. verified evidence;
2. stakeholder evidence;
3. self-reported information;
4. anecdotal information;
5. intelligence requiring further verification; or
6. evidence capable of supporting legislative restrictions
As previously outlined under part four, all correspondence between the Scottish Government and Save Face from 1 January 2016 is available as part of a published response made to a previous request made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This is available at the following link - Save Face correspondence relating to the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures: FOI release - gov.scot.
In relation to your follow up requests ordered a) to f), the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. As such, this is a notice under s17 of FOI(S)A that the Scottish Government does not hold the information that you have requested.
Part Six
You have requested copies of any calculation, modelling or assessment showing the number of complications expected to be prevented by each practitioner or premises restriction.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. As such, this is a notice under s17 of FOI(S)A that the Scottish Government does not hold the information that you have requested.
Part Seven
You have requested copies of any record identifying evidence received after officials had acknowledged that reliable complication data, robust business figures or comparative practitioner data were unavailable.
As stated in response to Part One of your request, all the evidence considered in the development of The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 has been published in response to previous FOI requests.
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.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
This information can be accessed via the following link: Non-Surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill information: FOI release - gov.scot Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.
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