The role of £90,000-a-year Patient Safety Commissioner is unfilled

The recruitment drive for Scotland’s first patient safety commissioner has failed for the second time.

MSP Passed a law creating a new independent public advocate for NHS patients in September last year.

The first round of interviews for the £89,685-a-year role in April failed to select a suitable candidate and then a second round of interviews last month saw the preferred candidate turn down the job.

Campaigners have described the latest delays as “incredibly disappointing”.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament, which is handling the recruitment process, said the job would be re-advertised in 2025 after a review of the terms and conditions of the role.

It is understood that this review will not include salaries.

Dr. Henrietta Hughes was appointed Patient Safety Commissioner for England in 2022,

His role was created to look into the scandals involving the epilepsy drug sodium valproate, vaginal mesh implants and the pregnancy test Primodos.

It came after a review by Baroness Julia Cumberlege said concerns and complaints were often dismissed as “women’s problems”.

Charlie Bethune, whose daughter’s health has been affected by exposure to sodium valproate, is campaigning for the Cumberledge Report’s recommendations to be implemented in Scotland after they were fully accepted by the Scottish Government in 2020.

She said: “It is incredibly disappointing that after all the work we and other campaign groups have done to get the Patient Safety Commissioner Bill passed, it has taken Parliament so long and it has been so unsuccessful in filling this post.

“Although it is important that we appoint the right person, it is disgraceful to not have anyone in the position when there are currently so many issues that are still unresolved and there are so many situations where patient safety and care is not being taken care of by this government. being given.

“A strong independent voice is essential.”

During the first round of recruitment in April, a cross-party panel decided not to nominate any candidates and a new round of interviews took place in the autumn.

It is understood that in both rounds of interviews so far, more than 20 people have put themselves forward for the role – which is for a fixed term of up to eight years.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: “A cross party panel of MSPs has launched a second, full open recruitment process for Scotland’s new Patient Safety Commissioner.

“Following the interviews on November 11, the panel identified its preferred candidate, but he declined the job offer.

“The Scottish Parliament corporate body has therefore agreed to review the terms and conditions of the post before re-advertising the role for a third time in the New Year.”