FOI 25-281 Sleep Related Incidents
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-281 Sleep Related Incidents
- Request Date
- 03 Jul 2025
- Response Date
- 11 Jul 2025
- Information Requested
The purpose of this request is to gather data on the number of ambulance callouts where sleep was a factor in the incident. Specifically, I am seeking anonymised data on the following: The total number of incidents attended by your service where sleep was recorded as a factor for each of the past five calendar years Incidents could include, but are not limited to: Callouts to road traffic collisions involving driver fatigue, incidents involving individuals found unconscious due to sleep-related conditions (e.g. narcolepsy, sleep apnoea), medical emergencies where excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation was a factor, welfare checks on individuals sleeping in public or unsafe places, incidents involving sleepwalking or parasomnia resulting in injury, etc 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and partial data for 2025 if available If held, the causes and number of reports linked to each sleep-related incident I.e. Callouts to road traffic collisions involving driver fatigue, incidents involving individuals found unconscious due to sleep-related conditions (e.g. narcolepsy, sleep apnoea), medical emergencies where excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation was a factor, welfare checks on individuals sleeping in public or unsafe places, incidents involving sleepwalking or parasomnia resulting in injury, etc 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and partial data for 2025 if available I would like you to provide the information in the following format: Please provide the information in electronic format, preferably as an Excel spreadsheet or CSV file. I have attached an Excel Template for your convenience. Please use this template where possible to ensure consistency and ease of data extraction. Please avoid sending PDFs or Word documents. If you are unable to provide the specified information: If you are unable to provide the specified information exactly as requested, please prioritise point 1 (number of incidents), provide *any* data you have that is relevant to the request and explain why the other information cannot be provided.
- Response
Public authorities are not required to create information in order to answer a request. There’s a distinction between creating new information and compiling information. Where a request can be answered by compiling information from readily-available resources held by the public authority, this is not the same as creating new information. However, if collation of the information would require skill and complex judgement, the information is not held.
The Scottish Ambulance Service does not have the data set to report on incidents where sleep may be a factor. To help explain the application of this exemption, where an RTC has been caused by driver fatigue, as an emergency service we would respond to the injuries caused by the RTC and would not determine a cause or factor of the incident. It is for this reason we have applied section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002, as information not held.
