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 18 of 320

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202204974

Decision 1 January 2024HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of a family member (A) who was diagnosed with breast cancer and died less than two years later. C complained that during a consultation the consultant oncologist (specialist in the treatment of cancer) treating A had given the impression that despite …

A Medical Practice in the Grampian NHS Board area · 202202721

Decision 1 January 2024HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C, an MSP, complained on behalf of their constituent (B) about the standard of care B’s late spouse (A) received from their GP practice. A attended an appointment with a GP and received antibiotics and steroids for a possible chest infection. A’s health deteriorated a …

Highland NHS Board · 202204521

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their spouse (A) who was admitted to hospital with pain, spams and weakness in their right leg which was later diagnosed as being caused by an infection in the iliopsoas muscles (a group of muscles running from the lower spine …

Dumfries and Galloway Council · 202110756

Decision 1 December 2023Local GovernmentOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Kinship care

C, a support and advice worker, complained on behalf of their client (A). A is a kinship carer to two grandchildren (child B and child D). When child B was born, they stayed with their parent and A at the same address. The following year, …

Forth Valley NHS Board · 202101258

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

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

A was diagnosed with severe heart valve stenosis (when a heart valve narrows and blood cannot flow normally) and was informed that they required heart valve replacement surgery. A referral was made to a specialist unit within another health board. However, A died whilst awaiting …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202207112

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that their late parent (A) received from the board. C complained that the board failed to reasonably treat an ulcer on A’s toe or manage their related pain. C also complained that A was unreasonably transferred to a …

Highland NHS Board · 202111438

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received from the board’s neurology department. C had been reporting symptoms to the board for several years before obtaining spinal surgery abroad. After surgery, C experienced improvement in their symptoms. C complained that the board did …

Forth Valley NHS Board · 202203018

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C, an advocate to A, complained on behalf of A that their colonoscopy was performed without sedation or anaesthetic. A was advised at pre-assessment that they could not have pain relief during the procedure, due to having taken methadone prior to the colonoscopy. C also …

Fife Council · 202008929

Decision 1 December 2023Local GovernmentOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Rights of way and public footpaths

C complained to the council about a local access route that was closed off by the landowner. C said that the route had historically been asserted as a right of way (RoW) and a planning condition imposed to protect it. In response, the council declined …

Grampian NHS Board · 202104942

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Nurses / nursing care

C, an advocate, submitted a complaint on behalf of the family of A. A was a resident of a care home and attended hospital with low potassium levels. A later sustained a leg fracture around the time of the first discharge and was re-admitted to …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202101013

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received from the board following a stillbirth. C complained that the board had failed to provide them with adequate support following the birth of their child. C also complained that a consultant had acted unreasonably by …

Tayside NHS Board · 202109305

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their partner (A) that their initial CT scan was misread and their symptoms misdiagnosed as ischaemic colitis (injury to the colon as a result of reduced blood flow), leading to a delay in treatment and diagnosis of a bowel obstruction. …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division · 202208600

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received from the board prior to and during the birth of their child (A). C complained that the midwives were dismissive of their pain levels during labour, failed to properly assess their condition, was wrongly sent …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division · 202207277

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received in respect of their cancer. C was diagnosed with colorectal cancer which had spread to their liver and required surgery. The surgery was to be performed in two stages. C complained that the second surgery …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division · 202209839

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained to the board about the midwifery care and treatment that they received during and following the birth of their baby. In particular, C complained that they had been unsupported during the birth, that their birth plan had not been followed, that the umbilical …

The City of Edinburgh Council · 202100413

Decision 1 December 2023Local GovernmentOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Kinship care

C complained following the council's decision to decline C’s request for financial kinship care assistance in respect of their grandchild (A). C complained that the council failed to adequately consider their eligibility when there was a change of circumstances in the family home and they …

The Highland Council · 202107467

Decision 1 December 2023Local GovernmentOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Child services and family support

C complained about the council’s handling of allegations that their child made against them, including decisions taken to remove their child from the family home on the evening of the incident, but then considered safe to return the following day. C also complained about a …

Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board · 202100839

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C’s parent (A) was receiving palliative chemotherapy, following a diagnosis of terminal cancer, which was suspended as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened. A was admitted to hospital following a prolonged period of vomiting that had not responded to treatment. A remained in the hospital for several …

A Medical Pratice in the Grampian NHS Board area · 202202227

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the practice on behalf of their spouse (A). A is paraplegic (affected by or relating to paralysis of the legs and lower body) and was receiving district nursing treatment for various wounds, including one on the large toe of their left foot. …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202206050

Decision 1 December 2023HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C, an advocate, complained on behalf of A about treatment that they received after sustaining a knee injury. A ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ligament connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone) and underwent an arthroscopy of the knee (a type of keyhole surgery). …

Western Isles NHS Board · 202103246

Decision 1 November 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Policy / administration

C complained about the board's decision not to fund the travel and accommodation costs they and their spouse had incurred as a result of travelling to visit their child (A) who was receiving treatment under a compulsory treatment order (CTO) in a different part of …

Tayside NHS Board · 202101726

Decision 1 November 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their parent (A) who had been admitted to hospital with an infection of the gallbladder. A Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP, an MRI scan of the gall bladder) was ordered and gallstones were found to be present. …

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership · 202103225

Decision 1 November 2023Health and Social CareOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Carer's assessments

C was a carer for their parent (A). A carer's assessment self-referral form was submitted on C's behalf to the partnership's Carers Team. C was contacted by the Carers Team and advised that, in the circumstances, the requested assessment would be carried out by A's …

A Medical Practice in the Highland NHS Board area · 202205437

Decision 1 November 2023HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of B about the care and treatment provided to B's spouse (A) by the practice. A attended the practice on a number of occasions over a few years with ongoing and worsening abdominal and lower back pain. C complained that the …

Tayside NHS Board · 202102766

Decision 1 November 2023HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment they received by the board. C was pregnant and called triage as they thought their mucus plug (a protective collection of mucus in the cervical canal) had passed and that they noticed green discharge. C was advised to …