Case ref: 202507513
NHS Organisation: Lothian NHS Board
Subject: Implementing improvement actions after a whistleblowing investigation
Outcome: Fully upheld
Date: July 2026
This is the report of the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) on a whistleblowing complaint about 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/
It is a full and fair summary of the investigation.
Executive summary
The complainant (C) complained to the INWO about Lothian NHS Board (the Board).
Between October 2024 and June 2025, the Board carried out a whistleblowing investigation under the National Whistleblowing Standards (the Standards) into C’s concerns about the numbers of children and adolescents waiting for neurodiversity assessments.
C’s concerns related not only to the length of the waiting list, but also to the impact on potentially vulnerable patients and their families who were unable to receive a diagnosis and access the appropriate treatment and support that would normally follow.
The Board’s investigation upheld all of C’s concerns. However, it has not yet developed or put an appropriate action plan in place to fully address the investigation findings.
The complaint I have investigated is:
- The Board has not effectively implemented the improvement actions identified following their investigation of C’s concern (upheld)
As a result of my findings, the Board has been asked to implement several recommendations. I have published a brief public report in this case as the findings have wider relevance across NHS organisations particularly in relation to how promptly and effectively improvement actions are implemented following whistleblowing investigations. The INWO regularly receives complaints from staff across NHS boards regarding delays in translating local whistleblowing investigation findings into tangible improvements.
To prevent unnecessary complaints to the INWO, boards should ensure that their whistleblowing arrangements are fully aligned with the National Whistleblowing Standards. This includes ensuring that concerns are handled in a way that is timely, transparent, and focused on delivering meaningful improvement, supported by robust governance arrangements.