Media release: Inspection report for Western Isles Hospital, NHS Western Isles
Healthcare Improvement Scotland today (Thursday 18 June) published a report relating to a Mental Health Services Safe Delivery of Care inspection at Western Isles Hospital, NHS Western Isles. The inspection took place on 17 February, 2026.
Our safe delivery of care inspections of adult mental health services aim to take account of the changing risk considerations and sustained service pressures currently across NHS Scotland.
During our mental health services inspection to Western Isles Hospital, we inspected the Acute Psychiatric Unit, spoke to staff and patients and reviewed policies and procedures.
Speaking of the Western Isles Hospital report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“Staff in the unit had high levels of compliance with mandatory eLearning however the practical elements of mandatory training, including immediate and basic life support and violence and aggression training, were identified as requiring improvement.
“Staff were providing therapeutic support to reduce distress and support trauma informed care and promote wellbeing.
“We observed good compliance with infection prevention and control standards.
“There were challenges due to the remote and rural location and the capacity of inpatient mental health services in the Western Isles, including accessing beds for patients with complex needs and those requiring specialist treatment.”
Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Areas for improvement included completion of patient documentation and documentation of ongoing risk and risk management.
Eddie Docherty, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“Our previous mental health inspection programme was focused on infection prevention and control. It was agreed with Scottish Government to widen the inspection focus from infection prevention and control to a broader assurance function, creating a new and revised ‘safe delivery of care’ assurance model in NHS adult mental health units.
“We believe it is important to provide public assurance that adult mental health units in Scotland are safe for patients and staff, provide quality person-centred care, with clear leadership and a focus on improvement.”
Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
The Western Isles Hospital inspection resulted in two areas of good practice and 17 requirements.
An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Western Isles to meet the requirements.
The full inspection report is available to view at:
Ends
Notes to editor
This report is part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s programme of inspections and reviews.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s statutory role is to help improve the quality of health and care, provide information to the public about the quality of health and care services, monitor public involvement, and to evaluate and provide advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health technologies.