Question reference: S5W-01173
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 1 July 2016
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 21 July 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that it complies with all (a) legislation relating to patient safety and (b) health and safety at work legislation.
Answer
The Scottish Government is fully committed to ensuring that the NHS in Scotland delivers high quality, safe, effective and person-centred care to all patients every-time they access health services.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland is responsible for the scrutiny and inspection of healthcare, which drives improvements in patient care, in line with a plan agreed by Scottish Ministers.
NHS boards are responsible for complying with all relevant statutory obligations, including the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Scottish Government requires all NHS boards to have assurance mechanisms in place as part of their corporate governance mechanisms.
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in NHSScotland and, together with local authorities, the social care sector in Scotland as well as throughout the UK.