Source · Ombudsman decisions

SPSO Individual Decisions

7,997 total decisions 7,769 investigated 2,239 upheld 54% upheld of investigated Years: Jun 2011–Sep 2026

7,997 published decisions from the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman investigates complaints about public services in Scotland — councils, the NHS, housing associations, and Scottish Government agencies. Source: spso.org.uk.

Decisions

7,997 records · Page 15 of 320

Grampian NHS Board · 202203153

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained that the board failed to provide their spouse (A) with reasonable care and treatment during an in-patient admission to hospital for a fractured hip. C who is A’s Power of Attorney also complained that the board failed to communicate adequately with them and …

Grampian NHS Board · 202110569

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their late spouse (A) who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties). A was admitted to hospital as an emergency with kidney failure, and high blood acid and …

University of Glasgow · 202201457

Decision 1 May 2024EducationOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Policy / administration

C complained about the university’s handling of an investigation into allegations made against them and their subsequent complaint about the matter. The allegation against C was investigated by the university’s sports association and upheld. The matter was then passed to the university’s student conduct team …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202108871

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that their late parent (A) received whilst in hospital following a stroke. C said that the board failed to provide appropriate nutrition for A when they lost the ability to swallow. A required a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) …

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership · 202201665

Decision 1 May 2024Health and Social CareOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / Diagnosis

C complained that the partnership did not provide reasonable care and treatment to their parent (A). A was admitted to hospital on three occasions during one month following falls. After their third admission, A was discharged to C’s home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A …

A Medical Practice in the Grampian NHS Board area · 202110880

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained that the medical practice failed to provide their late parent (A) with reasonable care and treatment after A fell and hit their head. A had sustained a subdural haematoma (where blood collects between the skull and the brain). A was cared for in …

Highland NHS Board · 202203142

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their late spouse (A). A was admitted to hospital with a suspected small bowel incarcerated in the hernia (a part of the intestine that becomes trapped in the sac of a hernia). Following a CT scan …

Grampian NHS Board · 202206729

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C, a support and advocacy worker, complained on behalf of their client (A) about the care and treatment that A received from the board in relation to a planned gynaecology (relating to the female reproductive system) surgical procedure. Following a discussion with the operating consultant …

Tayside NHS Board · 202204908

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their parent (A) during an admission to hospital. At the time of admission, A was taking medication for atrial fibrillation (a heart condition affecting the rhythm and rate of the heart). The medication included a blood-thinner …

Highland NHS Board · 202203466

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their adult child (A) in relation to A’s pregnancy. A attended hospital on two occasions over a weekend with no fetal movement. The baby (B)’s heartbeat was considered normal on both occasions and A left the …

Forth Valley NHS Board · 202206634

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received from the board. C attended hospital to have their gall bladder removed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (keyhole surgery). The surgery was abandoned and C did not understand why. C also complained that communication was unreasonable. The …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division · 202207139

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the ear, nose and throat surgery (ENT) that they received from the board. C was referred for surgery for biopsy of a nasal ulcer that would not heal, and for treatment of a nasal drip. C complained that the biopsy had not …

Fife Council · 202204206

Decision 1 May 2024Local GovernmentOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Repairs and maintenance

C complained about their housing. C had moved into the property because they were downsizing from their previous home. The property they moved into had been purchased by the council from its owner as part of a ‘buy back’ scheme for council properties. C complained …

Aberdeenshire Council · 202110015

Decision 1 May 2024Local GovernmentOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Handling of application (complaints by opponents)

C complained that the council had unreasonably failed to follow their own enforcement process and relevant planning guidance in response to an alleged breach of planning condition/s in respect of two sites. In responding to the complaint, the council acknowledged that breaches at the sites …

Scottish Ambulance Service · 202206802

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Failure to send ambulance / delay in sending ambulance

C complained about delays in ambulance response time after their elderly parent (A) had a fall at their care home. Care home staff called 999 and, following triage, the call generated an emergency but non-life-threatening response. A clinical triage call took place shortly after followed …

North Lanarkshire Council · 202106200

Decision 1 May 2024Local GovernmentOutcome: Resolved / Early Resolution

Subject: Kinship care

C complained about the lack of support from the council’s social work department following the death of their parent. C had sought help and support for them and their younger sibling (A). During the years that A was under the age of 16, C reached …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202110511

Decision 1 May 2024HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Appointments / Admissions (delay / cancellation / waiting lists)

C suffers from chronic pain and had been receiving pain management and musculoskeletal physiotherapy treatment from the board for many years. Changes were made in the board’s approach to pain management which coincided with some experienced consultants retiring. C’s care and treatment was reassessed and …

Grampian NHS Board · 202109730

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Resolved / Early Resolution

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C, a support and advocacy worker, complained on behalf of their client (A) who suffered from thyroid eye disease (an autoimmune disease in which the eye muscles and fatty tissue behind the eye become inflamed). A complained that the treatment provided by the board had …

Fife NHS Board · 202201215

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Nurses / nursing care

C’s spouse (A) was admitted to hospital following a stroke. A remained in hospital for several weeks before transferring to another hospital. A later died. C complained to the board about A’s hospital stay and raised concerns about wound management, fall pain management and the …

Western Isles NHS Board · 202209846

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / Diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received from the community mental health team, after C was referred due to suicidal ideation. C said that they did not have a reasonable level of contact with the team and had difficulty changing the frequency …

Tayside NHS Board · 202201376

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Nurses / nursing care

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their parent (A). A had been admitted to hospital before being transferred to a mental health facility. A then developed abdominal symptoms, which required them to be transferred to an acute hospital for treatment. A had …

Highland NHS Board · 202300501

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the actions taken and treatment provided by the board in respect of their pregnancy. C reported reduced fetal movements and was admitted to hospital with vaginal bleeding. The hospital discharged C as the vaginal bleeding settled and all clinical assessments undertaken were …

Forth Valley NHS Board · 202204453

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Admission / discharge / transfer procedures

C complained that the board failed to carry out a reasonable assessment of their late parent (A) when they were admitted to hospital. They were also unhappy with the decision to discharge A and said that the board failed to communicate adequately with them and …

West Dunbartonshire Council · 202210170

Decision 1 April 2024Local GovernmentOutcome: Resolved / Early Resolution

Subject: Repairs and maintenance

C complained about the fitting of new windows to their property. C said there was wind, water, and noise ingress and the window units were not fitted correctly - specifically that they were not the correct size. When reporting this to the council, some workmen …

Golden Jubilee National Hospital · 202202485

Decision 1 April 2024HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Nurses / nursing care

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their spouse (A). A stayed in critical care wards after surgery and acquired wounds to their back and shoulders. C complained that A’s wounds were not appropriately documented or treated. In response to C’s complaint, the …