For the second time in under a year, the Scottish Government has failed to fill the position of Patient Safety Commissioner, a role created by law in September 2023 to enhance healthcare safety across Scotland. Despite two rounds of interviews—one in April and another in November—no appointment has been made. In the second round, the preferred candidate declined the £90,000-a-year role, citing unspecified reasons.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament announced that the job will be re-advertised this year following a review of the job’s terms and conditions. However, the salary remains unchanged, raising questions about whether it is competitive enough to attract the right talent. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto stressed that the position will ensure healthcare safety and provide direct accessibility for patients and families to share concerns.
Yet, with 20 applicants and none deemed suitable by the cross-party MSP committee, campaigners and the public alike are left questioning what exactly the government is looking for in a candidate.
The Homeland Party’s Perspective
This repeated failure is emblematic of deeper systemic issues. For all the boasts about Scotland’s “world-class education system” and “magnificent NHS,” the government seemingly cannot find or attract the right person for such a critical role. It begs the question: is this a recruitment failure, a mismatch of expectations, or an unwillingness to face hard truths about our healthcare system?
While important on paper, the Homeland Party posits that such a role risks becoming another layer of bureaucracy shielding political figures from accountability. Instead of meaningful reform, there’s a danger the appointee could be reduced to a scapegoat for inevitable crises—a patsy, not a change-maker.
Our vision differs. A Homeland government would empower decision-makers within the healthcare system itself, eliminating the need for token positions. Strong leadership, actionable reforms, and a commitment to efficiency would ensure patient safety without the need for external “independent” bodies that often serve to diffuse responsibility rather than enact change.
Looking Ahead
If a preferred candidate turned down the role, could it be because they recognised the imbalance between responsibility and power? A salary review may not be enough to fix the underlying problem if the real issue is the perceived futility or political constraints of the job. As it stands, this failure sends a poor message about the state of governance in Scotland—a government that talks of empowerment yet cannot secure buy-in for its initiatives.
The Scottish Government’s delay is more than a logistical hiccup—it reflects a government struggling to manage its priorities and implement its vision effectively.
