An independent patient safety commissioner will be appointed in Scotland after the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the bill for the new position earlier this week.
Operating separately from the government and the NHS, the commissioner will work to highlight the concerns of patients and push through safety improvements across the Scottish health and care sector.
The commissioner’s independence means they will be afforded complete freedom to explore and investigate any issue they deem to have a significant impact on patient safety.
The position will also be able to draw upon the experience and viewpoints of patients, their families and healthcare providers to inform their work.
The result of the Stage 3 vote on the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill is:
— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) September 27, 2023
✅ Yes -114
❌ No - 0
🟣 Abstain - 0
The Bill is therefore passed. pic.twitter.com/KIHMCnslNK
Public health minister, Jenni Minto, said: “This important Bill champions the value of listening to patients and will ensure people’s voices are heard clearly and strongly throughout the health care system in Scotland. I am very grateful for Parliament’s unanimous support.”
The person in the role will be accountable to the Scottish Parliament – the process to appoint an individual will begin shortly.
Minto continued: “The Commissioner will be a powerful independent champion for everyone receiving healthcare, regardless of the setting in which it is delivered.
“They will work collaboratively with healthcare providers to make improvements but also hold them to account to ensure Commissioner recommendations are followed, and that patients are listened to.”
Image credit: iStock
