Patient safety champion role unfilled a year on

The newly-created role of Scotland's Patient Safety Commissioner has not yet been filled, almost a year after a bill was passed creating the post, the BBC has learned.

Campaigners are frustrated by the lack of progress in appointing the independent watchdog with the power to hold healthcare providers to account and prevent future scandals.

The law to create the role was passed in September last year and interviews were held in April.

However, a spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament, which is handling the recruitment process, said a cross-party panel had decided not to nominate any of the candidates and their preference was to readvertise the post.

Henrietta Hughes was appointed as England's public safety commissioner two years ago.

Her role was created to look into the scandals surrounding the epilepsy drug sodium valproate, vaginal mesh implants and the pregnancy test Primodos.

Charlie Bethune has been campaigning for the recommendations of the Cumberledge report to be implemented in Scotland.

Mr Bethune, who founded the First Do No Harm group, said it was frustrating that Scotland had not yet appointed a safety commissioner.

"It's been four years since the Cumberledge report which recommended this role," he said.

"It should have been the easiest recommendation to fulfil so it doesn't give us much hope for any of the others getting done.

"Meanwhile my daughter continues to be affected from her exposure to valproate without any specialist support being available in Scotland."

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Source: BBC News, 5 August 2024