Calls for public inquiry into NHS Western Isles over complaint handling claims

Calls have been made for a public inquiry into NHS Western Isles following allegations it failed to properly investigate complaints about patient care.

An independent councillor has claimed serious incidents may have gone unchecked, with information allegedly suppressed and complaints not acted upon.

The health board has strongly rejected the claims, which were raised in an open letter sent to MSPs and colleagues by councillor Kenneth Maclean.

Mr Maclean said issues initially raised by constituents in Barra and Vatersay prompted further complaints from residents in other parts of the Western Isles.

He has since taken the matter to Scottish Parliament and called for a full public inquiry.

The councillor claims statistics were suppressed and alleges some staff raised concerns about bullying.

He said: “By effectively supressing information, supressing investigations into things that go awry, they are failing the public and it is actually creating a more dangerous situation for all residents of the Western Isles.”

Under the “duty of candour”, health boards are required to investigate possible medical mistakes and be open with patients and families.

Responding to the allegations, NHS Western Isles said it welcomed concerns being raised but criticised Mr Maclean’s claims.

In a statement, the board said he had presented “a number of inaccuracies, speculation and unsupported damaging allegations that risk causing unnecessary alarm.”

It said it fully complied with duty of candour requirements and that the number of cases it reported “reflect actual clinical criteria, not speculation or population comparisons.”

The statement added: “Adverse events are investigated and staff work tirelessly to provide the highest standard of care.

“We encourage any family or individual who believe they have a complaint to contact us.”

The board also said recent staff surveys showed “positive experiences of teamwork and support” in response to claims about staff dissatisfaction.

Mr Maclean said his research suggested there were zero reported incidents between 2020 and 2022, and that he had compared figures with other rural health boards.

“Obviously, the population difference between, say, here and the Highlands is quite a bit different,” he said.

“But when you adjust it to per head of population, say 10,000, ours is shockingly low to the point that they’re either running one of the best healthcare services in the world or there’s something fishy going on.”

Health secretary Neil Gray declined to comment directly on the wider allegations, but said bullying of staff was unacceptable and that he expected health boards to uphold the values of NHS Scotland.