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<\/p>\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) recorded 389 incidents between April 2023 and March 2025 in which patients either died or suffered serious harm.<\/p>\n
The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital(Image: Daily Record)<\/p>\n
A scandal-hit Scottish health board <\/a>logged almost 400 medical blunders including 85 patient deaths over two years, it can be revealed.<\/p>\n NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) <\/a>recorded 389 incidents between April 2023 and March 2025 in which patients either died or suffered serious harm.<\/p>\n Data shows 201 incidents met \u201cDuty of Candour\u201d reporting criteria between April 2023 and March 2024, with a further 188 recorded up to March last year.<\/p>\n A general view of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n That\u2019s more than one case every other day over 24 months \u2013 including 85 where \u201csomeone has died\u201d and scores of others where blunders caused serious harm to patients\u2019 health and recovery.<\/p>\n Duty of Candour is a legal requirement setting out when organisations must tell those affected after an unintended or unexpected incident causes harm or death.<\/p>\n Staff must inform patients or families, offer an apology and explain what happened.<\/p>\n According to GGC\u2019s annual Duty of Candour report, health chiefs<\/a> were forced to apologise to 377 patients and families after the incidents were investigated.<\/p>\n Jackie Baillie (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: \u201cThese staggering figures show too many NHS patients are being let down, despite the tireless efforts of frontline NHS staff<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen things do go wrong in our NHS, it is crucial that patients and families get the answers they deserve \u2013 but too often that has not been the case.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the QEUH scandal, families and whistle-blowers had to fight for the truth while powerful institutions closed ranks.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is clear more must be done to strengthen accountability and transparency in public life.\u201d<\/p>\n The figures come as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde <\/a>faces ongoing scrutiny over a string of patient safety concerns, most notably linked to infection control at Glasgow\u2019s Queen \u00adElizabeth University Hospital<\/a> (QEUH).<\/p>\n The flagship site has been at the centre of long-running controversy over hospital-acquired infections and remains a key focus of the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is examining the planning, construction and safety of major acute hospitals across Scotland.<\/p>\n Families have reported long delays \u2013 sometimes years \u2013 in being told about infection risks or treatment failings, undermining confidence in openness.<\/p>\n Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton gestures during the Scottish party leaders Channel 4 news election debate in Glasgow<\/p>\n Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: \u201cAcross the health service<\/a>, soaring NHS waiting times and overwhelming pressure on staff is pushing patient safety into the danger zone. Staff are doing their very best, but they\u2019ve been let down time and again by SNP mismanagement.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the failures outlined in the report were 175 patients <\/a>who required increased treatment due to harm and 61 others who needed intervention to prevent further injury.<\/p>\n A total of 12 patients were left with permanent loss of bodily, sensory, motor, physiological or intellectual function, and a further 17 who experienced pain or psychological harm lasting 28 days or more.<\/p>\n In 22 cases, patients suffered changes to the structure of their body \u2013 including amputations, loss of function, organ damage, bone or joint damage, or surgical injuries.<\/p>\n Two patients had their life expectancy reduced, while another two contracted hospital-acquired infections.<\/p>\n Calls for stronger patient rights in Scotland have intensified following the success of \u201cMartha\u2019s Rule\u201d in England, which was introduced in 2024.<\/p>\n It is currently being trialled at NHS <\/a>Lanarkshire\u2019s Hairmyres Hospital, where a 24-hour helpline allows families to raise concerns directly with senior nurses, triggering review.<\/p>\n The policy was introduced following the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, whose deterioration in hospital was not escalated despite her family raising concerns.<\/p>\n It gives patients and families the right to request an urgent review from a senior doctor if they believe treatment is not working and their concerns are not being heard.<\/p>\n Doctor Iain Kennedy a GP from Inverness who is the Chair of BMA Scotland.(Image: Peter Jolly)<\/p>\n The British Medical Association Scotland warns the NHS is in \u201cconstant crisis\u201d, crippled by record waiting lists and severe staffing shortages.<\/p>\n Dr Iain Kennedy, chair of BMA Scotland, said: \u201cBMA Scotland is clear on the need for safe staffing and workloads in NHS Scotland, which are absolutely crucial to protect both patient safety and clinician well-being.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is important the lessons from these reports are acted upon, but this has to be done in a context of a culture which is based on feedback and learning, not blame and finger pointing.\u201d<\/p>\n An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: \u201cOur published annual reports detail how we implement Duty of Candour. \u201cAs part of Duty of Candour, we apologise, explain what is known at the time, offer appropriate support, and keep those affected involved as reviews progress.<\/p>\n \u201cWe firmly believe the process is a valuable and meaningful part of improving patient safety, and we are committed to carrying out timely and high-quality adverse event reviews, and to identifying and sharing learning.\u201d<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here<\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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