Health Secretary has responded to
Healthcare Improvement Scotland's NHS Grampian Responsive
Diagnostic Review.
She said:
The findings of this report are extremely serious and will be
deeply concerning for patients, families, local communities and
staff across Grampian. It identifies significant failings in
leadership, governance, accountability and organisational
culture.
I have written to the Chair and Chief Executive of NHS Grampian
in relation to the report and was clear I expect decisive and
urgent action. The report is particularly critical of medical
leadership, of senior individuals and their role in the failures
of clinical governance, decision-making and patient safety. Given
the seriousness of these findings, I expect the Board to
immediately make changes in medical leadership and to carry out
any further necessary changes at a senior level to restore
confidence in services. I understand that NHS Grampian have
already made some changes to their medical leadership and an
interim Medical Director has been appointed with effect from
Monday, 16 November.
The Chief Executive of NHS Grampian, who took up post in
September 2025, asked Healthcare Improvement Scotland to carry
out this review in May of this year in response to growing
concerns about the safety and quality of care, particularly at Dr
Gray's Hospital in Elgin. She was right to do this.
"Patient safety must come first, and people in Moray and across
NHS Grampian must have confidence in the care they receive.
Patients should continue to use their local services and NHS
Grampian has established a dedicated helpline to ensure patients,
families and local communities have a clear route to raise
concerns, seek advice and access support.
"This report also acknowledges the professional and dedicated
staff who continue to deliver compassionate care in challenging
circumstances. This is echoed in three other HIS inspection
reports published today in relation to NHS Grampian.
"This must be a turning point for NHS Grampian and the Board must
act with urgency in addressing the serious concerns. A new
Interim Chair of the Board was appointed in October and I expect
to see demonstrable improvements before the end of the year. In
the meantime I am considering whether further escalation measures
are required.
"I will visit Grampian tomorrow for its annual review and
contingent on the Parliamentary Bureau agreeing to its
scheduling, I will set out the Scottish Government's fuller
response and steps being taken in a statement to the Scottish
Parliament next week.
Background
The Health Secretary is expected to make a statement in the
Scottish Parliament on NHS Grampian next week.
