FOI/202500476593 · FOI · already published
Ministerial meeting with NHS Fife materials: FOI release
Information requested
Preparatory notes and correspondence, meeting minutes and notes taken at the meeting and follow up correspondence and action points pertaining to the meeting attended by Neil Gray, Jenny Gilruth and NHS Fife at Fife Council Bankhead Central on 17th July 2025. Paper notes, emails, text messages and official logs should be included.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested under the following exemptions:
25 (1) Information otherwise accessible. 29 (1) (a) Formulation of government policy. 38 (1) (b) personal information on all of the emails requested. 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.
The exemption under 30(b)(ii) recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on access to NHS Dentistry in Fife will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, particularly because these discussions are still ongoing and decisions have not been taken. These discussions relate to a sensitive issue.
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.
We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s position on NHS Dentistry, until the Government as a whole can adopt a policy that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good policy decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest.
Despite falling out with the timeframe covered by your request, in the interests of openness and transparency I have also provided the minutes of the meeting.
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
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested under the following exemptions: 25 (1) Information otherwise accessible. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. The exemption under 30(b)(ii) recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. 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.