Views sought on new Patient Safety Commissioner Bill

A Holyrood committee is calling for views on the Scottish Government bill to set up a new Patient Safety Commissioner in Scotland.

The Patient Safety Commissioner Bill would set up a new role independent of the Government and NHS, with responsibility for promoting and improving patient safety, identifying safety issues within the healthcare system and helping support system-wide improvements.

The Commissioner would also ensure that concerns of patients in relation to patient safety issues are heard and dealt with in a coordinated and effective manner. They would have investigatory and information-gathering powers, publish reports on systemic safety issues in patient health care, and make recommendations as to how these could be addressed.

MSPs on the Health, Social Care & Sport Committee are scrutinising the bill at stage 1. Convener Gillian Martin MSP said: “Patient safety should always be of paramount importance in the provision of healthcare.

“The proposed establishment of a Patient Safety Commissioner aims to ensure patients’ voices are heard with the goal of promoting and improving patient safety across NHS services in Scotland.

“We are keen to learn from those within the sector and from members of the public if they feel this role will benefit patient safety and ultimately lead to better patient experiences across the health service.”

Read the call for evidence here. Submissions close on Wednesday 14 December 2022.