Media release: Inspection Report Western Isles Hospital, NHS Western Isles
Healthcare Improvement Scotland today (Thursday 15 January) published a report relating to an unannounced follow-up inspection visit to Western Isles Hospital, NHS Western Isles. The inspection took place between 13-14 October 2025.
We previously carried out an unannounced inspection at Western Isles Hospital from 3 to 4 September 2024, where we made a total of 22 requirements. We wrote to NHS Western Isles on two occasions to raise significant concerns related to the availability of children’s nurses, staff trained in paediatric immediate life support and systems and processes for the safe care of acutely unwell and deteriorating patients.
The purpose of the follow-up inspection in October 2025 was to assess the progress that has been made against the previous inspection requirements and subsequent improvement action plan.
Speaking of the report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“During this follow-up inspection we found improvements in compliance rates of staff trained in paediatric and adult immediate life support. There were also improved staff training figures relating to child and adult support and protection and fire training compliance.
“We saw staff working collaboratively to provide compassionate and responsive care and the hospital was clean and well maintained.
“All acute policies and procedures were current, ratified and up to date and all medicines were stored securely. However, there continued to be inconsistencies with completion of documentation, and cleaning products were not stored securely.
“Whilst significant progress has been made by NHS Western Isles, some areas of improvement remain, such as the completion of patient care documentation, maintenance of patient dignity and the safe storage of cleaning products.”
Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
This follow-up inspection resulted in three areas of good practice, no recommendations and five new or updated requirements. Six previous requirements from the September 2024 inspection were not met and have been carried over.
An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Western Isles in order to meet the requirements.
The full inspection report is available to view at:
Ends
Notes to editor
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.