Echinacea herbal products should not be used for children under 12 years old

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have advised parents and carers not to use oral herbal products containing Echinacea for children under 12 years of age.

Freedom of information

Freedom of Information

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 anyone has the right to ask for information held by the Care Inspectorate. There are a few exceptions that may require us to withhold some of the information that has been requested, such as information that may be personal or commercially sensitive. We also withhold information where it would cost an excessive amount to put together a response, but in those cases we will give advice and assistance to help you access as much information as possible.

How to make a request

All requests should be made in writing

You can send your request by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to the following address:

Information Governance Team
Care Inspectorate
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY

All requests will receive a response within 20 working days. 

How to word a request

Be specific about the information you are looking for as this helps us to identify what you require and answer you request promptly. For example, does a specific date or time period apply?

Freedom of Information (FOI) only provide a right of access to information which has been recorded by a public authority. For information to be recorded, it must be stored and held in some way, for example:- in a report, spreadsheet, email, recording or in a minute of a meeting. Bear this in mind when wording your request, and try to ask for information which is likely to already be recorded and held. Asking for someone’s opinion or view on an issue will not constitute an FOI request if the opinion is not recorded.

For example, rather than asking “What was the Care Inspectorates thinking regarding the closure of Hiptown Nursery”, instead you could ask for all reports and correspondence relating to the closure of Hiptown Nursery
Requests can be narrowed down, for example by providing a certain time frame, or by being specific where possible about the title of the document, a particular theme, or services or individuals mentioned within a report.

The Scottish Information Commissioners Tips for requesting information under FOI and EIRS provide simple advice to help you make the most of your rights to request information. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx#record-information

What to do if you are unhappy with a response

You should submit a requirement for review in writing no later than 40 working days after you received your response.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Care Inspectorate has dealt with your request for information and would like us to review our decision then you should write to us stating your reasons for the dissatisfaction at:

Information Governance Team
Care Inspectorate
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What to do if you are unhappy with the Review Response

If you are dissatisfied with our response to a request for a review you may make an application for a decision to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months of receiving your review at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Tel: 01334 464610
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info
Should you then wish to appeal against the Commissioner’s decision there is a right of appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law only.