A scandal-hit Scottish health board logged almost 400 medical blunders including 85 patient deaths over two years, it can be revealed.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) recorded 389 incidents between April 2023 and March 2025 in which patients either died or suffered serious harm.
Data shows 201 incidents met “Duty of Candour” reporting criteria between April 2023 and March 2024, with a further 188 recorded up to March last year.
View 5 ImagesA general view of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (Image: Getty)
That’s more than one case every other day over 24 months – including 85 where “someone has died” and scores of others where blunders caused serious harm to patients’ health and recovery.
Duty of Candour is a legal requirement setting out when organisations must tell those affected after an unintended or unexpected incident causes harm or death.
Staff must inform patients or families, offer an apology and explain what happened.
According to GGC’s annual Duty of Candour report, health chiefs were forced to apologise to 377 patients and families after the incidents were investigated.
View 5 ImagesJackie Baillie (Image: Getty)
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “These staggering figures show too many NHS patients are being let down, despite the tireless efforts of frontline NHS staff.
“When things do go wrong in our NHS, it is crucial that patients and families get the answers they deserve – but too often that has not been the case.
“In the QEUH scandal, families and whistle-blowers had to fight for the truth while powerful institutions closed ranks.
“It is clear more must be done to strengthen accountability and transparency in public life.”
The figures come as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde faces ongoing scrutiny over a string of patient safety concerns, most notably linked to infection control at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).
The flagship site has been at the centre of long-running controversy over hospital-acquired infections and remains a key focus of the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is examining the planning, construction and safety of major acute hospitals across Scotland.
Families have reported long delays – sometimes years – in being told about infection risks or treatment failings, undermining confidence in openness.
View 5 ImagesScottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton gestures during the Scottish party leaders Channel 4 news election debate in Glasgow
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Across the health service, soaring NHS waiting times and overwhelming pressure on staff is pushing patient safety into the danger zone. Staff are doing their very best, but they’ve been let down time and again by SNP mismanagement.”
Among the failures outlined in the report were 175 patients who required increased treatment due to harm and 61 others who needed intervention to prevent further injury.
A total of 12 patients were left with permanent loss of bodily, sensory, motor, physiological or intellectual function, and a further 17 who experienced pain or psychological harm lasting 28 days or more.
In 22 cases, patients suffered changes to the structure of their body – including amputations, loss of function, organ damage, bone or joint damage, or surgical injuries.
Two patients had their life expectancy reduced, while another two contracted hospital-acquired infections.
Calls for stronger patient rights in Scotland have intensified following the success of “Martha’s Rule” in England, which was introduced in 2024.
It is currently being trialled at NHS Lanarkshire’s Hairmyres Hospital, where a 24-hour helpline allows families to raise concerns directly with senior nurses, triggering review.
The policy was introduced following the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, whose deterioration in hospital was not escalated despite her family raising concerns.
It gives patients and families the right to request an urgent review from a senior doctor if they believe treatment is not working and their concerns are not being heard.
View 5 ImagesDoctor Iain Kennedy a GP from Inverness who is the Chair of BMA Scotland.(Image: Peter Jolly)
The British Medical Association Scotland warns the NHS is in “constant crisis”, crippled by record waiting lists and severe staffing shortages.
Dr Iain Kennedy, chair of BMA Scotland, said: “BMA Scotland is clear on the need for safe staffing and workloads in NHS Scotland, which are absolutely crucial to protect both patient safety and clinician well-being.
“It is important the lessons from these reports are acted upon, but this has to be done in a context of a culture which is based on feedback and learning, not blame and finger pointing.”
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: “Our published annual reports detail how we implement Duty of Candour. “As part of Duty of Candour, we apologise, explain what is known at the time, offer appropriate support, and keep those affected involved as reviews progress.
“We firmly believe the process is a valuable and meaningful part of improving patient safety, and we are committed to carrying out timely and high-quality adverse event reviews, and to identifying and sharing learning.”
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