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 8 of 320

Dumfries and Galloway Council · 202311539

Decision 1 June 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Resolved / Early Resolution

Subject: Child protection

C complained that the council unreasonably failed to carry out and progress police checks for two individuals who have contact with their grandchild. After notifying the council of our investigation, they agreed to provide C with a fuller apology and assurance that this would not …

Golden Jubilee National Hospital · 202403107

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment that they received from the board when under the care of orthopaedics (specialists in the treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system) for foot surgery. We took independent advice from an orthopaedic adviser. We found that …

Dumfries and Galloway Council · 202405671

Decision 1 June 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Resolved / Early Resolution

Subject: Kinship care

C, an advocacy worker, complained on behalf of their client (A) who is the kinship carer of their grandchild (B). B came to live with A from England. C complained that the council failed to assess A in relation to the kinship care arrangement in …

Forth Valley NHS Board · 202310053

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C had a bilateral total knee replacement surgery, which was carried out by another organisation. Approximately three weeks after their surgery, C was admitted to a hospital within Forth Valley NHS Board following a fall. Approximately three weeks after C’s discharge, C had surgery to …

A Medical Practice in the Grampian NHS Board area · 202302300

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained that the practice failed to adequately investigate and/or diagnose the cause of their persistent cough. C was subsequently hospitalised and diagnosed with pneumonia while on holiday. The practice did not uphold C’s complaint. They said that they had taken reasonable action in light …

Fife Council · 202310572

Decision 1 June 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Primary School

C complained that the council unreasonably failed to follow relevant processes and procedures in managing and responding to bullying behaviour experienced by C's child (A). C also complained about the way the council handled their complaint. In response to C's complaint, the council confirmed that …

Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202400979

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their partner (A) about the care and treatment provided to A by the board when they presented to the obstetric triage department 25 weeks’ gestation with pain and abdominal tightening. A was assessed as having Braxton Hicks (when the womb …

Grampian NHS Board · 202305278

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their client (B) about the care and treatment given to B's late parent (A). A was admitted to hospital and discharged a few days later. A was readmitted the next day and died the following week. B had concerns around …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202309086

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the obstetrics (specialists in pregnancy and childbirth) care and treatment that they received from the board during and after the delivery of their baby by planned caesarean section. C said that there was a delay in diagnosing retained products of conception (tissue …

West Dunbartonshire Council · 202303409

Decision 1 June 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour

C complained that the council failed to deal with concerns that they raised about alleged anti-social behaviour (ASB) involving a neighbour. During our investigation, we considered whether or not the council had followed their anti-social behaviour policy (ASB policy) in relation to their handling of …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202307865

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their parent (A) in relation to a number of hospital admissions. C complained that A was discharged without clear advice as to whether they had sepsis, and how to manage A’s condition. C also said that …

Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board · 202403923

Decision 1 June 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Nurses / nursing care

C complained about the nursing and medical care and treatment provided to their parent (A) when A was in hospital following a hip fracture. A had surgery for the fracture but was diagnosed with a number of illnesses while in hospital and died. We took …

Stirling Council · 202202657

Decision 1 May 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Policy / administration

C complained about the council’s decsion to build a prison facility next to their and others’ property. C’s complaint covers the council’s planning and environmental health services. Regarding the planning process, C considered the council had failed to safeguard neighbouring residents when granting planning permission. …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202302038

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their late partner (A) who died from a stroke caused by a blood clot. A was admitted to hospital with seizures after collapsing at home and sustaining a head injury. A couple of days later A was identified to have …

A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area · 202408340

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Lists (incl difficulty registering and removal from lists)

C complained about being de-registered from their dental practice. C also complained that the practice failed to handle their complaint reasonably. Due to a broken tooth, C phoned for an emergency appointment and was told they could attend the same day. However when C arrived, …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202306662

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the standard of medical care and treatment provided by the board to their late sibling (A) during a long admission to hospital. A’s medical history was complex as they suffered from a number of life threatening conditions during their hospital admission and …

A GP Practice in the Grampian NHS Board area · 202210656

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the decision to stop the anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication given to their late parent (A) and a lack of communication with the family around this decision. The practice instructed to stop the medication due to an unexplained bleed. Following this stoppage, A …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202309586

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their parent (A) about the care and treatment they received from the board following neurosurgery (surgery performed on the nervous system, especially the brain and spinal cord). C complained that the board did not provide follow-up care to A and …

Highland NHS Board · 202304835

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained on behalf of their client (B) that the care and treatment provided to B's relative (A) was unreasonable. In response to the complaint, the board acknowledged that there had been failings in the delivery of care throughout A’s hospital stay and explained that …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202304267

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the medical and nursing care they received for a spinal condition. C said the care led to avoidable complications and delayed their transfer to a specialist spinal unit. We took independent advice from a consultant in orthopaedics (specialists in the treatment of …

Falkirk Council · 202403907

Decision 1 May 2025Local GovernmentOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Applications / allocations / transfers / exchanges / appeals

C complained that the council unreasonably failed to assess their housing application in accordance with their policies and procedures. C and their partner had two children and shared their bedroom with the youngest child. C submitted a request for rehousing. The council awarded C a …

Fife NHS Board · 202311002

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment their parent (A) received during a hospital admission. C complained about the way episodes of agitation and aggression were managed by the board including in respect of administration of medicines; bruising to A during episodes of restraint and …

Lanarkshire NHS Board · 202304888

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Not Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the care and treatment they received from the board when they attended the hospital with pain and a tight feeling in their leg. C raised concerns that the board failed to: reasonably assess them on admission to hospital, and undertake the correct …

Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division · 202311694

Decision 1 May 2025HealthOutcome: Partly Upheld

Subject: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

C complained about the board’s decision not to provide thyroid chondroplasty (a surgery to reduce the size of the Adam’s apple) as part of their gender affirming treatment. The board explained that though they used to have surgeons who could carry out this surgery, they …

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership · 202400112

Decision 1 April 2025Health and Social CareOutcome: Upheld

Subject: Communication / staff attitude / dignity / confidentiality

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their adult child (A) by the partnership. A had received care from mental health services for several years prior to their death by suicide. C complained that the partnership failed to reasonably share information with A’s …