Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Act 2023 (asp 6) - Explanatory Notes

Explanatory Notes

Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Act 2023

2023 asp 6

7 November 2023

Overview

3. The purpose of the Act is to establish the office of Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland (“the Commissioner”). The Commissioner will advocate for systemic improvement in the safety of health care (which includes forensic medical examinations) in Scotland and promote the importance of the views of patients and other members of the public in relation to the safety of health care.

4. In order to promote and enhance patient safety and ensure that the patients’ views on the safety of health care are heard, the Commissioner’s functions will include conducting formal investigations into possible safety issues and gathering, analysing and reporting on information from patients and members of the public about safety concerns. In order to ensure the investigations are fully informed, the Commissioner will be able to require people to provide relevant information.