FOI – 2025-3162 Infection-related admissions and NHS pressures (HTML)

Date received – 04 November 2025 | Date responded – 13 November 2025

Request

Dear whom it may concern

I am an infectious diseases doctor and researcher, currently undertaking my PhD on antimicrobial resistance and diagnostics. I am interested in infection-related admissions and NHS pressures, and I wish to seek information on the following:

What proportion of hospital admissions in Scotland is for infection? Is it the most common reason for infection? Of these, how many die of the infection?

What is the most common reason for attending a GP surgery with an urgent problem, is it infection? What proportion?

How many bed days are related to infection and what is the cost of this?

If you have any additional data, especially related to the cost of infection in the NHS that would be hugely helpful too.

Response

We have now completed the search of our records and can provide you with the following information:

Under Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act, 2002 (FOISA) an organisation does not have to provide that information if it does not hold it. NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) does not hold any of the requested information. We would advise you to contact Public Health Scotland (PHS) at PHS.FOI@phs.scot who may be able to provide the requested information.

I trust you will find the information of assistance and if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Address

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