NHS Tayside walk in centre location query: FOI release

Information requested

“I note the following https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr45ekv79lzo

FOI What determination and research was made to place a walk in centre within 5 mins of NHS Tayside main hospital building and not more centrally located in Dundee serving all of Dundee and not just trying to cut down A&E visits from the local areas due to NHS unable to for decades to control its primary care subcontractors & refusing to carry out complaints into NHST PC subcontractors and telling subcontractors to self investigate in line with SPSO timeframes - which for decades causes people only able to access NHS care via Ninewells A&E.

When will a more central walk in clinic be available for those in the north, south and east of Dundee rather than as above trying to pacify council housing estates Menzeshill & Charleston from attending Ninewells A&E.

To date since devolution every First Minister, Health Minister and Health Secretary has refused to enforce NHS Tayside to be the complaint lead of complaints against NHST PC subcontractors - what action is the First Minister taking to ensure after 26 years that NHS Tayside conform to Scottish Government rules on this matter and what independent procedure will be put in place for NHS Tayside patients can report breaches of this?.

What publication does the First Minister intent to put in place that the public know NHS Scotland boards contractors PC & otherwise MUST be handled by the NHS Board and Local Authorities joint Health & Social Care CEO’s are responsible as NHS Trust Board members to citizens for their Councils geographical area to investigate complaints against the NHS Trust when they refuse to do so internally or against subcontractors.

Further, what does the First Minister intend to do when reports of sexual misconduct against NHS staff is refused to be investigated (including refusal to involve PoliceScotland) & Police Scotland & the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman & General Medical Coubcil/Nursing Midwivery Council/Dental Council all refuse to process complaints of sexual misconduct against perpetrators for patients & other NHS staff members.”

I have answered your request in three parts.

Response

Your request

FOI What determination and research was made to place a walk in centre within 5 mins of NHS Tayside main hospital building and not more centrally located in Dundee serving all of Dundee and not just trying to cut down A&E visits from the local areas due to NHS unable to for decades to control its primary care subcontractors & refusing to carry out complaints into NHST PC subcontractors and telling subcontractors to self investigate in line with SPSO timeframes - which for decades causes people only able to access NHS care via Ninewells A&E.

Response to your request

NHS Boards were asked to submit proposals for walk-in services which met the essential criteria in the attached Call for Proposals. This included identifying suitable sites. The decision was then for Health Boards, who were best placed to determine local need and available premises.

Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have all of the information you have requested.

Your request

When will a more central walk in clinic be available for those in the north, south and east of Dundee rather than as above trying to pacify council housing estates Menzeshill & Charleston from attending Ninewells A&E.

Response to your request

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, you may wish to contact NHS Tayside at tay.foisa@nhs.scot who may be able to help you.

The remainder of your request

To date since devolution every First Minister, Health Minister and Health Secretary has refused to enforce NHS Tayside to be the complaint lead of complaints against NHST PC subcontractors - what action is the First Minister taking to ensure after 26 years that NHS Tayside conform to Scottish Government rules on this matter and what independent procedure will be put in place for NHS Tayside patients can report breaches of this?.

What publication does the First Minister intent to put in place that the public know NHS Scotland boards contractors PC & otherwise MUST be handled by the NHS Board and Local Authorities joint Health & Social Care CEO’s are responsible as NHS Trust Board members to citizens for their Councils geographical area to investigate complaints against the NHS Trust when they refuse to do so internally or against subcontractors.

Further, what does the First Minister intend to do when reports of sexual misconduct against NHS staff is refused to be investigated (including refusal to involve PoliceScotland) & Police Scotland & the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman & General Medical Coubcil/Nursing Midwivery Council/Dental Council all refuse to process complaints of sexual misconduct against perpetrators for patients & other NHS staff members.

Response to the remainder of your request

The information you have requested about the NHS complaints process is set out in the NHS Scotland Complaints Handling Procedures (CHP) and the NHS Scotland Public Facing Model Complaints Handling Procedure, which are both published on the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) website at; https://www.spso.org.uk/the-model-complaints-handling-procedures. It may be helpful to refer you to page 11 of the CHP, which sets out the process for dealing with complaints about Primary Care service providers.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed above, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

All allegations of sexual assault or misconduct must be investigated by the relevant NHS Board. Any suspected crime, including sexual offences, should be reported to Police Scotland at the earliest opportunity. Health Boards have a legal duty to protect patients and staff, and the Scottish Government expects all reports to be fully investigated with appropriate support provided to those affected.

Where a complaint relates to a regulated healthcare professional, individuals can contact the relevant professional regulator. The Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Medical Council and General Dental Council each provide guidance on the types of concerns they can investigate, alongside information on other bodies that may be better placed to consider certain complaints.

NHS Scotland workforce policies, including the Bullying and Harassment Workforce Policy, set out formal routes for addressing cases of sexual harassment or misconduct.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with NHS Boards, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland to strengthen training, reporting and data standards across

the system. National work is under way to standardise how adverse events, including sexual violence, are recorded and monitored to ensure concerns are robustly addressed.

A national network has been established to bring Health Boards together to share best practice on preventing sexual harassment and improving support for staff.

Everyone working in NHS Scotland should feel confident to raise concerns. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has been clear that all whistleblowing reports must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Health Boards are required to ensure fair investigations and protect staff from any repercussions. National support measures include the NHS Scotland Whistleblowing Policy, an independent advice line and Whistleblowing Champions on every Board.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202600508399 - Information Released - Annex

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