Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland

The Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Act 2023 provides for a Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland whose role will be to advocate for systematic improvement in the safety of health care in Scotland and promote the importance of the views of patients and other members of the public in relation to the safety of health care.

In order to promote and enhance patient safety and ensure that the patients’ views on the safety of health care are heard, the Commissioner will conduct formal investigations into possible safety issues and gather, analyse and report on information from patients and members of the public about safety concerns.

The Commissioner’s remit covers all health care providers operating in Scotland including the NHS, NHS contracted and independent healthcare providers.

The Commissioner will work collaboratively with other organisations to improve patient safety adding value to the patient safety system in Scotland rather than duplicating the work of existing organisations.