Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership

Case ref: 202306732

NHS Organisation: Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership

Subject: Patient safety

Date: April 2025

This is the report of the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer’s (INWO’s) investigation of a whistleblowing complaint about patient safety and the handling of a whistleblowing concern. It is published in terms of section 15(1) of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 which sets out the INWO’s role and powers. There is more information about this here: https://inwo.spso.org.uk/ 

Supported by the confidential appendices, it is a full and fair summary of the investigation.

Executive summary 

1. The complainant (C) complained to the INWO about Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (the HSCP), following the investigation of a whistleblowing concern raised with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde under the National Whistleblowing Standards. The complaint concerned changes to specialist GP services for people experiencing homelessness in Glasgow.
2. The complaint I have investigated is:
   1. The HSCP unreasonably failed to follow a meaningful process of engagement and consultation with staff involved in the delivery of the GP service prior to the decision to reduce the service. (upheld)
   2. the HSCP unreasonably failed to undertake meaningful stakeholder consultation prior to the decision to reduce specialist GP service provision for people experiencing homelessness. (upheld)
   3. the HSCP unreasonably failed to perform a full and timely assessment of risk and equalities impact prior to the decision to reduce specialist GP service provision for people experiencing homelessness. (upheld)
   4. the HSCP unreasonably failed to take action to address the long term risks associated with the reduction in specialist GP service provision.(upheld)
3. As a result of my findings, the HSCP have been asked to implement a number of recommendations, and to consider and reflect on other feedback.