Interviews for this post will take place on 17th & 18th September
About The Organisation
Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services.
We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.
The Role
The postholder will manage NHS Lanarkshire’s Freedom of Information function on a day-to-day basis, ensuring written requests for information are handled lawfully, accurately and within statutory timescales, while providing specialist advice to applicants, staff and senior leaders on the application of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and related information governance requirements.
In this key role, you will:
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Manage written requests for information received by NHS Lanarkshire under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, ensuring requests are logged, progressed, co-ordinated and responded to within statutory timescales.
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Provide advice and assistance to applicants, including helping applicants clarify the information sought and supporting people with communication difficulties to make a valid request.
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Identify appropriate information sources across NHS Lanarkshire and works with colleagues to gather, review and collate information so that responses are clear, accurate, accessible and provided in the requested format where appropriate.
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Provide specialist advice to staff and senior managers on the application of FOI legislation, including statutory duties, timescales, exemptions, public interest considerations and links with Data Protection requirements where requests involve personal information.
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Lead on the responsible and effective use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support the delivery of Freedom of Information (FOI) services. Exploring opportunities to improve efficiency and consistency in processes such as document review, redaction and drafting responses.
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Represents NHS Lanarkshire in relevant FOI networks and liaises with the Scottish Information Commissioner and other external bodies as required.
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Maintains the FOI case management, tracking and archive arrangements to support accurate recording, monitoring, reporting, audit and organisational learning.
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Produces regular reports and analysis on FOI activity, themes, compliance and emerging issues to support service improvement and assurance.
What You'll Bring:
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Degree level education or equivalent knowledge gained through relevant training and practical experience.
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Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to information governance, communications, administration, public sector governance or related areas.
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Evidence of knowledge of the Scottish legal system, including the public sector context in Scotland and the role of the Scottish Parliament.
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Understanding of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Data Protection legislation, patient confidentiality and related information governance requirements.
What we Offer
As a valued employee of NHS Lanarkshire, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:
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Annual Leave - 35 days including public holidays
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Generous NHS pension scheme
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Annual incremental salary progression
- Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
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NHS discounts and more.
NHS Lanarkshire is dedicated to building a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive, develop, and succeed based on their skills, knowledge, and talent - regardless of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or care experience* or any other dimension that can be used to differentiate people from one another.
- Care experienced applicants include those who have lived with foster parents, kinship carers, or in residential/secure children’s settings.
For informal discussion, please contact Calvin Brown, Communications Manager on [email protected]
If you have any questions about the recruitment process or require support with your application, contact Marion Bisset, Recruitment Administrator on [email protected]
