Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has today (Monday 5th Dec) published its report relating to an unannounced follow-up inspection visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital on 27– 28 September 2022. The report recognises the extreme pressures being experienced across the hospital at the time of the visit due to increased patient numbers, delayed discharges and high levels of staff absence.

Following the visit at the end of September 2022, action was quickly taken to address many of the issues highlighted by the inspectors. This included the introduction of care and comfort for patients waiting in our Emergency Department and Assessment Units and new triage arrangements to help reduce overcrowding.

Efforts continue to reduce the use of additional contingency beds which have had to be put in place to manage increased admissions. In the meantime, action has been taken to strengthen the monitoring arrangements for patients being cared for in these areas and help improve their privacy.

Over the last few months, there has been significant investment in additional clinical staffing and support, including during the overnight period, and new procedures have been introduced to quickly identify and respond to any quality or safety issues across the site. Dedicated support has also been put in place to capture and respond to feedback from local patients and staff.

You can read a copy of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland media release here and a copy of NHS Forth Valley’s media statement in response to the report here.