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 5 of 320

Fife NHS Board · 202308194

Decision 1 December 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained that the board’s mental health services did not communicate information regarding C's adult child (A) reasonably. A, who had experienced various mental health issues, was taken to hospital after taking an unknown quantity of tablets. C and another family member were concerned about …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202405058

Decision 1 December 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their sibling (A) about the cancer care and treatment that A received and the handling of C’s subsequent complaint about this. We took independent advice from a consultant urological surgeon (specialist in the male and female urinary tract, and the …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202401075

Decision 1 December 2025HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment of their late spouse (A). A had a history of multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer). C raised concerns about the board’s response to A’s symptoms, including a delay in carrying out a CT scan (a type …

Forth Valley NHS Board · 202409410

Decision 1 December 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment their late spouse (A) received for a bowel perforation. A died in hospital following a cardiac arrest. C complained that the conservative, non-surgical approach taken to A’s treatment led to a deterioration in their condition, leaving them unfit …

A Dentist in the Lothian NHS Board area · 202411526

Decision 1 November 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / Diagnosis

C complained about the dental care and treatment that they received. C underwent root canal treatment (RCT) on their lower right tooth. C said that this was not performed appropriately and that they should have been referred earlier to an endodontist (a dentist with special …

River Clyde Homes · 202404489

Decision 1 November 2025Housing AssociationsOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Repairs and maintenance

C complained on behalf of their parent (A) who is a tenant of the housing association. C complained that the association did not undertake roughcast render works at A’s property within a reasonable timescale. A was concerned about the condition of the roughcast render at …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202401362

Decision 1 November 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Nurses / nursing care

C complained about the nursing care provided to their late parent (A) during their admission to hospital. A arrived at the emergency department before being admitted to a ward. While in hospital, A lost weight and had difficulty eating. Due to delirium, A’s mobility was …

Social Security Scotland · 202405909

Decision 1 November 2025Scottish Government and Devolved AdministrationOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Handling of application

C complained that Social Security Scotland (SSS)'s handling of their transfer application was unreasonable. C received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which was administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). C’s condition had deteriorated significantly since their assessment for DLA and made enquires about …

Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board · 202308080

Decision 1 November 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Admission / discharge / transfer procedures

C complained that the board failed to reasonably investigate and/or diagnose the cause of their symptoms of significant weight loss, intense abdominal pain, vomiting, altered bowel habit and nausea. C also complained that they were discharged from the board’s gastroenterology service (specialists in the diagnosis …

Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership · 202407263

Decision 1 November 2025Health and Social CareOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Carer's assessments

C complained that the partnership failed to handle their application for their child (A)'s placement at a residential facility reasonably. A has a genetic condition, mental health issues and significant learning disabilities. A had identified a residential placement for individuals with their condition. C applied …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202410198

Decision 1 November 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Communication / staff attitude / dignity / confidentiality

C complained that the board failed to communicate appropriately with their partner (A) regarding charges for treatment. A is a non-UK resident and was charged for non-urgent treatment at hospital following an accident. C complained that A was not informed of the financial liabilities they …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202407399

Decision 1 November 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

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

C complained that the board failed to provide them with reasonable care and treatment. C had a cancer diagnosis and was concerned about the length of time taken to arrange their surgery. We took independent advice from a consultant clinical oncologist (specialist in the diagnosis …

Scottish Prison Service · 202401074

Decision 1 November 2025PrisonsOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Access to medical care / treatment

C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that they had prompt access to medical attention. C stopped taking prescribed medication after experiencing side effects and submitted a request to be seen by a nurse. C was not …

Social Security Scotland · 202400810

Decision 1 October 2025Scottish Government and Devolved AdministrationOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Handling of application

C complained about the service that they received from Social Security Scotland (SSS) in relation to a backdated disability payment. C accidentally gave the incorrect bank account number and the payment was paid into the incorrect bank account. While C contacted SSS to inform them …

Fife Council · 202411894

Decision 1 October 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Policy / administration

C owns a holiday let in a conservation area. The adjacent, terraced property was demolished but not rebuilt, leaving an unsightly gap. The site is now for sale, causing uncertainty and delays. They complained that this had been allowed to happen, citing financial loss. C …

Falkirk Council · 202307184

Decision 1 October 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Repairs and maintenance

C, a council tenant, complained that the council had failed to replace their kitchen, which was outdated and in a state of disrepair, and their windows, which were aluminium framed, did not have working vents, and as such were promoting the growth of mould. C …

Golden Jubilee National Hospital · 202405410

Decision 1 October 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained to us that the board failed to provide them with reasonable care and treatment during an appointment for a cataract procedure. We took independent advice on the complaint from a consultant ophthalmologist. We found that the scratch on the lens was not caused …

Social Security Scotland · 202311106

Decision 1 October 2025Scottish Government and Devolved AdministrationOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Handling of application

C complained about delays in Social Security Scotland switching their child (A)’s payment of Child Disability Payment (CDP) to their bank account after A moved in with them. Social Security Scotland continued paying Child Disability Payment to C’s ex-partner and did not process the change …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202204222

Decision 1 October 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained that they had received substandard care across a series of surgeries to their nose. They said that the board inaccurately stated that C was suffering from a recognised complication and that the board failed to provide C with sufficient information about the possible …

Dumfries and Galloway Council · 202303228

Decision 1 October 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Policy / administration

C complained to the council about a number of aspects of the council’s handling of a planning application for development on a site opposite C’s home, including that the Report of Handling was not reasonable as it did not reference any assessment of how waste …

Berwickshire Housing Association Ltd · 202406182

Decision 1 October 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Repairs and maintenance

C complained to us that the housing association unreasonably failed to investigate and repair defects in relation to the doors, windows and the heating system in their home. We found that that the length of time C waited for replacement radiators, repairs to the windows …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202401128

Decision 1 October 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that the board provided to their elderly parent (A). A was an active and independent adult who tripped in the community and was admitted to hospital. In hospital, A developed a grade 4 (most severe) sacral (lower back) …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202301141

Decision 1 October 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their client (B) about the care provided to B's late parent (A) during their admissions to hospital. A was admitted and discharged from the hospital. A was readmitted a few days later following a fall at their home. A suffered …

A Medical Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area · 202403301

Decision 1 October 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C had concerns about the care and treatment that their late parent (A) received from the practice. At the time the care and treatment took place, the practice was being managed as a GP partnership arrangement. By the time C had submitted their complaint to …

A Medical Practice in the Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board area · 202309539

Decision 1 September 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the standard of medical care and treatment provided by the practice and about the way that they handled C's complaint. C attended the practice with symptoms of rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habit and abdominal pain. The practice made a routine …