NHS watchdog apologises to consultants over handling of safety concerns at QUEH
29 medics offered evidence of overcrowding and staff shortages which they say "seriously compromised" the safety of patients.
An NHS watchdog has apologised to consultants at one of Scotland's flagship hospitals for its "shortcomings" in investigating patient safety concerns. Doctors working at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) emergency department alerted Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) in May 2023 of 18 months' worth of evidence on overcrowding and staff shortages which they say "seriously compromised" the safety of patients.
However, the watchdog did not ask to see that evidence or meet with the 29 consultants who flagged the concerns, instead launching an investigation and speaking with senior executives at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC).
The investigation was closed in August last year.
However, the watchdog upheld complaints in January this year that consultants were not given the opportunity to discuss their concerns, or present their evidence.
]HIS chief executive Robbie Pearson, has apologised and offered an "assurance" that HIS will learn lessons as a result of the complaint.
The watchdog has now been presented with the evidence from consultants.
A spokesman for HIS said: "We can confirm that we first received patient safety concerns in May 2023 from consultants at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital regarding the hospital's emergency department.
"These concerns were considered through our responding to concerns process, which allows NHS staff to raise concerns in confidence about the quality and safety of healthcare.
"Following our initial response outlining our findings, we received a complaint from the consultants about their experience of the process. We met with the consultants and agreed with aspects of their complaint and instigated action to address the issues that were raised.
"We take the findings of the complaint very seriously and are committed to ensuring that our processes for handling concerns about patient safety are robust.
"We recently received additional information from the consultants about their patient safety concerns, and this information is currently being considered.
"Meeting again with the consultants will be part of our process for considering these concerns."
An NHSGGC spokesman said: "We are committed to improving the patient experience at the QEUH and have been working with consultants within the emergency department (ED) alongside HIS following concerns raised around staffing and capacity levels.
"The ED team are involved in hospital-wide plans to support the department by relieving pressures on the front door and improving overall patient safety which remains our top priority."