Media Release: Inspection report Ailsa Hospital, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Healthcare Improvement Scotland today (Tuesday 9 December) published a report relating to a Safe Delivery of Care inspection of Acute Adult in patient services at Ailsa Hospital, NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The inspection took place on 29 July, 2025.
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 inspection of Ailsa Hospital, we inspected two wards, spoke to staff and patients and reviewed policies and procedures.
Speaking of the Ailsa Hospital report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“During our inspection we saw compassionate interactions between patients and staff. Staff told inspectors there was a supportive culture with visible leadership and a good relationship between staff and managers.
“The majority of care documentation reviewed was completed to a high standard with detailed information on patient care needs and goals.
“Mealtimes were well co-ordinated and patients in both wards had access to a garden which was in good condition and well maintained.
“However, we identified low compliance rates of mandatory training, including basic life support and violence and aggression practical training. This may result in staff not having the skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective care and could impact on patient and staff safety.”
Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Other areas for improvement included ensuring the hospital environment is maintained.
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 Ailsa Hospital inspection resulted in six areas of good practice and seven requirements.
An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran to meet the requirements.
The full inspection report is available to view at: https://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/publications/ailsa-hospital-mental-health-safe-delivery-of-care-inspection-report-december-2025/
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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.