Scotland’s £89,685-a-Year Patient Safety Commissioner Role Remains Vacant After Second Recruitment Drive

The search for Scotland’s inaugural Patient Safety Commissioner has been unsuccessful for a second time. MSPs enacted legislation to establish this new independent public advocate for NHS patients in September last year. An initial round of interviews for the £89,685-a-year position in April failed to identify a suitable candidate. Subsequently, a second series of interviews last month resulted in the preferred individual declining the job offer. Advocates have characterized this most recent postponement as “incredibly frustrating”. A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament, which is managing the hiring process, indicated that the post would be re-advertised in 2025 following a review of its terms and conditions. It is understood that this review will not encompass the salary. Dr Henrietta Hughes was appointed as England’s patient safety commissioner in 2022. Her role was established to investigate controversies surrounding the epilepsy drug sodium valproate, vaginal mesh implants, and the pregnancy test Primodos. This initiative followed a review by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, which concluded that concerns and complaints were too often dismissed as “women’s problems”. Charlie Bethune, whose daughter’s health has been impacted by exposure to sodium valproate, has been advocating for the implementation of the Cumberledge report’s recommendations in Scotland since the Scottish government fully accepted them in 2020. He stated: “It is incredibly frustrating that after all the work we, and other campaign groups, put in to get the Patient Safety Commissioner Bill through, that the parliament has taken so long and been so unsuccessful in filling the post.” He continued: “While is vital that we get the correct person appointed, having no one in post is a disgrace when there are so many issues currently that are still unresolved and so many situations where patient safety and care are not being addressed by this government. “A strong independent voice is essential.” During the first recruitment phase in April, a cross-party panel chose not to nominate any of the applicants, leading to a subsequent round of interviews in the autumn. It is understood that across both interview stages to date, more than 20 individuals have applied for the role, which is for a fixed term of up to eight years. A Scottish Parliament spokesperson commented: “A cross party panel of MSPs undertook a second, full open recruitment exercise for the new Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland.” The spokesperson added: “Following interviews on 11 November, the panel identified its preferred candidate, but they declined the job offer.” Consequently, “The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body has therefore agreed to review the terms and conditions of the post before it re-advertises the role for a third time in the new year.”