Raigmore Hospital Snap Inspection Reveals The Good And Not So Good

1st March 2025

Raigmore Hospital is the main hospital for the Highlands based in inverness. Healthcare Improvement Scotland carried out a snap inspection in October 2024 and a report has now been published in February 2025.

The latest inspection of Raigmore Hospital by Healthcare Improvement Scotland revealed several key findings:

The hospital was found to be operating at 103% bed occupancy during an unannounced inspection in October 2024. This means the hospital was above its patient capacity and using additional beds.

There was a lack of substantive staff available to look after the extra patients, leading to a high use of supplementary staff in areas using additional beds.

Inspectors raised concerns about the oversight of infection control risks. There were instances where infection outbreaks had not been reported in accordance with current guidelines.

The hospital was told to make improvements in 13 areas, including ensuring staff are trained in fire evacuation, compliance with infection prevention precautions, and providing all patients with access to call bells and toilet and shower facilities.

Despite the challenges, the inspection team also found many strengths and examples of good practice. Patients and families were complimentary about the staff and care provided, and the majority of wards were calm and well-organized with good leadership.

Read the full Healthcare Improvement Scotland report HERE
Pdf 31 Pages

Note
On NHS financial Issues the Highland council budget papers to be discussed on 3 March highlight the deficit issue -
there remains ongoing risk and challenge within NHS Highland's Adult Social Care budget to contain current over-spending and cost pressures, alongside delivery against saving/cost improvement plan targets. As per the most recent report
considered by NHS Highland Health and Social Care Committee, the Board was forecasting an overall £49.9m overspend for 2024/25, which per that report exceeded the Scottish Government brokerage limit. In relation to Adult Social Care, within that total, an overspend of £17.8m year to date was reported, with this forecast to reduce to £5.1m on the presumption of further action to address the adult social care
position. £2.3m of Adult Social Care cost improvement and efficiency is assumed within these figures.
Full council papers at https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5138/highland_council See papra 9.12