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FOI release

FOI – 2026-3277 Surgical Skin Markers (HTML)

Published on 12 March 2026

Date received – 13 February 2026 | Date responded – 12 March 2026

Request

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

I am interested in the types and colours of surgical skin markers used within your organisation, and how procurement or clinical guidance decisions are made about their use.

Please provide the following information:

  1. A list of all surgical skin markers currently used in your organisation for:
  • Pre-operative site marking in theatres.
  • Marking the skin for bedside or ward-based procedures (e.g., central venous access, chest drains, skin demarcation, or similar).
  1. For each marker, please include:
  • Brand and product name.
  • Ink colour(s).
  • Typical clinical area(s) where it is used.

  1. Copies of any product specifications, catalogues, or procurement documents held by the organisation that describe available colours and intended use.

  2. Copies of any current Organisational policies, protocols, guidelines, or training materials that:

  • Refer to the choice of surgical skin marker colour.
  • Refer to visibility of markings in different clinical contexts or patient groups.
  • Address this issue within equality, diversity and inclusion, patient safety, or clinical governance documents.

  1. Information on whether any additional or alternative marker colours (beyond standard ones) are available within the organisation (e.g., for use in clinical areas or patient groups where standard markings may be less visible).

  2. Anonymised, aggregated incident reports, risk assessments, or patient safety reports (1 January 2019 to present) where visibility of skin markings was identified as a contributory factor. (No patient-identifiable information is requested.)

If any part of this request is unclear, please contact me for clarification.

I would be grateful to receive the information electronically by email. Please advise me in advance of any fees, and do not process the request or assume consent without my prior agreement.

Response

I refer to your freedom of information request that we received on 13 February 2026 requesting the following information.

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

  1. Under Section 17 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 information relating to surgical skin markers that are currently used in our organisation for pre-operative site marking in theatres or marking the skin for bedside or ward-based procedures. For clarity NSS National Distribution Service (NDS) is NHS Scotland’s central logistics operation that stocks and delivers essential medical supplies to hospitals and health facilities across the country. The stock products held are advised by Health Boards (HBs) therefor the responsibility of correct application of the products lies within the remit of the HBs. You may wish to contact the HBs detailed below as they may be able to provide more information.

  2. Under Section 17 of FOISA, an organisation does not have to provide any information that they do not hold. NHS NSS does not hold the information relating to ink colour or the typical clinical area of use as this would be held at HB level. You may wish to contact the HBs detailed below as they may be able to provide more information. What we can provide you with is Appendix 1 – NDS Stock, which is a list of all surgical skin markers, including the brand, which are held or were previously held for the period 01 January 2019 to date by the NDS.

  3. Under Section 17 of FOISA, an organisation does not have to provide any information that they do not hold. NHS NSS does not hold any product specifications, catalogues, or procurement documents that describe available colours and intended use. You may wish to contact the HBs detailed below as they may be able to provide more information.

  4. Under Section 17 of FOISA, an organisation does not have to provide any information that they do not hold. NHS NSS does not hold any Organisational policies, protocols, guidelines, or training materials that refer to the choice of surgical skin marker colour, refer to visibility of markings in different clinical contexts or patient groups or that addresses this issue within equality, diversity and inclusion, patient safety, or clinical governance documents. You may wish to contact the HBs detailed below as they may be able to provide more information.

  5. Under Section 17 of FOISA, an organisation does not have to provide any information that they do not hold. NHS NSS does not hold any information on whether any additional or alternative marker colours (beyond standard ones) are available within the area of use as the HBs may procure surgical skin markers out with the NDS. You may wish to contact the HBs detailed below as they may be able to provide more information.

  6. Please find attached Appendix 2 – Skin Marker Complaints, for information relating to complaints received where visibility of skin markings was identified as a contributory factor. Under Section 17 of FOISA, an organisation does not have to provide any information that they do not hold. NHS NSS does not hold any information on risk assessments relating to visibility of skin markings. This information would be held at HB level.

Health Board contacts as follows:

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

If you are unhappy with any aspect of how we have dealt with your request, you can make representations to us asking us to review the handling of your request.

If you require any further information, please contact the Associate Director Governance and Board Services (Board Secretary) within 40 working days of the date of this correspondence.

Contact

Email: nss.foi@nhs.scot

Address

NHS National Services Scotland
Headquarters
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB

If after a review you are still unhappy, you also have the right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner, who can be contacted at Kinburn Castle, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, or via their application form.

National Services Scotland (NSS) is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. You can view all FOI responses within our FOI Publications repository.

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