Transferring Patients - FOI Response Register

1. In this health board, how many patients were directed or referred to hospitals or other healthcare settings (clinics/primary care centres etc) in another health board in the financial year 2022-23? Please also provide the data for the financial years 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, and 2018-19 and please also break this down by procedure.

The majority of records do not list the procedure in question however for those that do 1323 different procedure codes were used, the majority of which were only used once or twice. The very small numbers involved in combination with a specific year and that these patients were referred outside Shetland means that in providing procedure codes individuals could be identified from the data.

With reference to the above, in accordance with FOISA s 16(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it holds the information requested but that it is exempt from disclosure under FOISA s 38(1)(b) as read with s (38)(2A) as the information constitutes personal data and disclosure would breach the confidentiality of the data subjects.

2. In this health board, how many patients were directed or referred to hospitals or other healthcare settings (clinics/primary care centres etc) in this health board from another health board in the financial year 2022-23? Please also provide the data for the financial years 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, and 2018-19 and please also break this down by procedure.

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3. In relation to Qs1-2, what was the average distance of the transfer in miles during the financial year 2022-23? Please also provide the data for the financial years 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, and 2018-19. This would be the distance from the place of referral to the place of treatment e.g from GP in Grampian to hospital in Tayside.

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested. As we do not record the specific location within Shetland from which the referral came ie Unst Health Centre, Gilbert Bain Hospital etc.

4. In relation to Qs 1-2, what was the furthest transfer in miles during the financial year 2022-23? Please also provide the data for the financial years 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, and 2018-19.

See response to Q3.

5. In relation to Question 4, please provide a reason why that transfer took place. For instance, was it because of a lack of beds?

See response to Q3.

6. In relation to Qs1-2 is there a cost associated with these transfers in 2022-23? Please also provide the data for the financial years 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, and 2018-19.