Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill: island communities impact assessment screening questions

Step 3 – consultation

• Who do you need to consult with?
• How will you carry out your consultation and in what timescales?
• What questions will you ask when considering how to address island realities?
• What information has already been gathered through consultations and what concerns have been raised previously by island communities?
• Is your consultation robust and meaningful and sufficient to comply with the Section 7 duty?

In the public consultation on the establishment of a PSC carried out in 2021 we asked: "If you live in an island community, what are your views on how having a [PSC] might affect access to safe, high quality public services where you live?"

We received 50 responses to this question. There was general agreement that the PSC should work to ensure equity across Scotland, and that our proposals did not seem to suggest otherwise. The ability to communicate directly with the PSC with no managerial hierarchy would help to build relations with all communities; the PSC could highlight to the NHS or government where patients were at a disadvantage due to their location. The PSC should have an awareness of time and location-critical needs. One respondent was concerned that the PSC would raise the minimum standard of care to one which could not be provided in remote or rural communities, or provide it equably with those who live in urban areas. Another respondent said that with restricted choice in healthcare provider some island residents may be fearful of raising safety concerns, and were therefore more vulnerable. One respondent highlighted that some residents of island communities feel their voice is not heard in mainland-based decision making, and that the PSC could be an advocate for that. It would be for the PSC to decide how best to engage with island, remote and rural communities and address their concerns and needs.

We feel that as the PSC will work across the whole of Scotland and benefit the population equally there is not further requirement to consult.