Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) provides individuals with a right of access to recorded information held by Scotland’s public authorities. Anyone can use this right, and information can only be withheld where FOISA expressly permits it. FOISA provides that GPs are public authorities, to a certain extent, and you will have a right to access certain information held by GPs. A large proportion of the recorded information held by GPs is personal information contained in medical records. Personal information can be withheld under FOISA, but you have rights to access your own medical records under other legislation and this is explained in this scheme.
Section 23 of FOISA also requires that all Scottish public authorities maintain a publication scheme. A publication scheme sets out the types of information that a public authority routinely makes available. This scheme has been approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner, who is responsible for enforcing FOISA. We are also obliged to review this scheme from time to time.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide you with details of the range of information that we routinely publish. The scheme also provides details of how you can access this information, and tells you whether it is available free, or if there is a charge for the information. With this scheme we aim to improve public access to the information we hold and to encourage public awareness, and participation in, the decisions we make.
Alongside FOISA, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the EIRs) provide a separate right of access to the environmental information that we hold. This publication scheme also contains details of the environmental information that we routinely make available.
Where information is not published under this scheme, you can request it from us under FOISA or, in the case of environmental information, the EIRs. For further information on accessing information not covered by this scheme, refer to Section 11 – How to access information not available under the scheme.
Freedom of information - Publication Scheme
Data Protection Act - Your medical health records
Guidance for accessing your medical records
Application form to access your medical records