Health board forced to apologise to 377 patients and families after Duty of Candour incidents were investigated over two years
A Glasgow health board recorded nearly 400 medical errors, including 85 patient deaths, over a two-year period, it can be revealed. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde logged 389 incidents between April 2023 and March 2025 in which patients either lost their lives or suffered serious harm.
Figures show that 201 incidents met 'Duty of Candour' reporting criteria between April 2023 and March 2024, with a further 188 recorded up to March last year. That amounts to more than one case every other day over 24 months – among them 85 where 'someone has died' and numerous others where mistakes caused significant harm to patients' health and recovery.
Duty of Candour is a legal obligation that sets out when organisations must notify those affected following an unintended or unexpected incident that results in harm or death, with staff required to inform patients or their families, offer an apology and explain what took place, reports the Record . According to GGC's annual Duty of Candour report, health bosses were compelled to apologise to 377 patients and families following investigations into the incidents.
The figures emerge as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde continues to face intense scrutiny over a series of patient safety concerns, most notably surrounding infection control at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital . The flagship hospital has been at the heart of a long-running controversy over hospital-acquired infections and remains a central focus of the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is examining the planning, construction and safety of major acute hospitals across Scotland.
Families have reported lengthy delays – sometimes spanning years – in being informed about infection risks or treatment failings, severely undermining public confidence in the health board's openness. Amongst the failures detailed in the report were 175 patients who required additional treatment due to harm suffered, with a further 61 needing intervention to prevent further injury.
A total of 12 patients were left with permanent loss of bodily, sensory, motor, physiological or intellectual function, while a further 17 experienced pain or psychological harm lasting 28 days or more. In 22 instances, patients experienced alterations to their body structure – including amputations, loss of function, organ damage, bone or joint damage, or surgical injuries. Two patients had their life expectancy shortened, while another two developed hospital-acquired infections.
Demands for strengthened patient rights in Scotland have grown following the successful implementation of 'Martha's Rule' in England, which was launched in 2024. It is currently undergoing trials at NHS Lanarkshire's Hairmyres Hospital, where a 24-hour helpline enables families to raise concerns directly with senior nurses, prompting a review. The policy was established following the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, whose deteriorating condition in hospital was not escalated despite her family voicing concerns.
It grants patients and families the right to request an urgent review from a senior doctor if they believe treatment is not working and their concerns are not being heard. The British Medical Association Scotland warns the NHS is in 'constant crisis', hampered by record waiting lists and severe staffing shortages.
Dr Iain Kennedy, chair of BMA Scotland, said: 'BMA Scotland is clear on the need for safe staffing and workloads in NHS Scotland, which are absolutely crucial to protect both patient safety and clinician well-being.
'It is important the lessons from these reports are acted upon, but this has to be done in a context of a culture which is based on feedback and learning, not blame and finger pointing. ' An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: 'Our published annual reports detail how we implement Duty of Candour.
As part of Duty of Candour, we apologise, explain what is known at the time, offer appropriate support, and keep those affected involved as reviews progress.
'We firmly believe the process is a valuable and meaningful part of improving patient safety, and we are committed to carrying out timely and high-quality adverse event reviews, and to identifying and sharing learning. '
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