Dashboard Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 13 August 2026
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Clinical and Care Governance Committee — 13 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll & Bute Stage 2 Complaints | Aug 2026 Data up to date as of 17/07/2026 *excludes cases with stage of further correspondence and SPSO Complaint volumes may have had a slight drop in volume overall, however, we have seen an increase related to the area of complaint. Complaints related to Mental Health services and Succoth Ward have increased, and this is reflected in the Mid Argyll figures. Complaints related to LIH have reduced and this is encouraging. The volume of open cases in relation to the 20 day KPI continues to be an area of development. Although some cases relate to SAERs and Case Reviews the majority are impacted as a result of operational pressures. To support, additional complaint handling training has been offered to services to increase the pool of complaint investigators to share the work-load. SPSO: We have 5 open SPSO cases at this time, with 4 awaiting decisions and 1 open to be completed with info to be sent to the SPSO. 1 recent partially upheld complaint was in relation to urinary testing and complaint handling. Apology and actions are underway.
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Feedback performance is an area of continued development. To support, we are engaging a quality project which will look at governance structures and complaint performance data will contribute to regular reporting of service performance, along with actions for improvement. The sub categories show that length of time to respond is a continued issue for complainants and feedback coordinators. Poor care, relates to quality and standard of care, this has significantly been observed in Adult ADHA assessments and dental related complaints. Actions to support have involved staff reflections and sharing of complaints with the wider teams to support awareness over the significance of what to communicate, when and how. Argyll & Bute Stage 2 Complaints | Aug 2026 Data up to date as of 17/07/2026| *excludes cases with stage of further correspondence and SPSO
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The themes of complaints are as follows: • Communication and Lack of Information: • Poor updates of assessments • Concerns of transparency and information sharing • Lack of info from social workers appeals processes • Delays in service delivery: • Assessments decision • Funding decisions • Slow implementa5tion of agreed plans • Staff conduct: • Attitude and behaviours • Individual social workers • Care Planning, Assessments and Support Packages: • Homecare Provision • Telecare Services • Delay in services • Withdrawal or reduction in support packages • Funding Decisions • Process and Decision Making Work continues to support clients and families, with decisions and service provision Argyll & Bute Social Work & Care Complaints| Aug 2026 SPSO Activity: 3 new and open enquiries awaiting response. 3 completed SPSO cases: • 1 Fully upheld • 1 Partially upheld • 1 Not upheld Improvement outcomes identified are, home care provision and care package delivery, as well as quality of care. Recommendations relate to assessment and communication.
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Argyll & Bute Adverse Events | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026 In May 2026 we have seen a slight reduction in incidents raised overall. Mid Argyll in particular has experienced less as a result of alterations in patients within the Succoth Ward, where there are no longer particular patients driving a higher number of cases related to mental health related incidents. Incidents relating to Oban appear consistent and with a reduction also observed in Helensburgh. In May we have seen a reduction in specific areas such as Tissue Viability ‘other’ On review of other we are seeing a number directed towards estates and IT matters which relate to Cowal & Bute and issues experiences with facilities issues, such as broken lifts etc..
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Argyll & Bute Adverse Events | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026 We are still observing a higher quantity of negligible and minor incidents, with few Major and Extreme and consistent volume of moderate. The message of updating and reviewing of incidents is being continuously raised in bi-weekly QPS forums. There is work underway to transition to Healthcare Guardian (the new incident reporting mechanism) and this will impact the view of cases reported until full embedded system is in place. Focus is being applied to Major / Extreme related incidents, and those impacted are mostly associated with Case Review / SAER activity and as such reflect in the average days open. This activity is being closely monitored by the Clinical Governance Teams.
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Inpatient falls have reduced over three consecutive months, demonstrating encouraging progress, although rates remain close to average, and continued focus is required to achieve the falls reduction target. Where falls occur, they are most often associated with a small number of highly complex patients. Argyll & Bute Inpatient Falls | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026
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Highlighting falls prevention to staff remains a priority, through continued use of the Safe Care Pause. The Argyll & Bute Inpatient Falls Meeting continues to support shared learning and best practice, with key messages disseminated via the Focus on Falls graphic, which remains well received. The Falls Lead has introduced monthly short educational sessions focused on specific falls-related topics to further strengthen staff knowledge and preventative practice. Next steps: • Maintain focus on staff engagement and Safe Care Pauses • Continue monthly Falls Lead education sessions • Falls lead to target interventions for patients with complex falls risk as appropriate • Monitor trends to sustain and build on recent reductions Argyll & Bute Inpatient Falls | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026
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Argyll & Bute Tissue Viability | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026 Grade 2 pressure ulcers continue to be most frequently reported pressure injuries. During reporting period, there has been a reduction across all reported grades, with very few higher- grade injuries recorded. This reflects use of early intervention measures and preventative strategies in reducing the occurrence and progression of pressure injuries. The pressure injuries reported continue to reflect the frailty and vulnerability of patients within the community setting, highlighting the ongoing need for proactive risk assessment and prevention. Contributory factors continue to be: - Frailty - Immobility - Acute illness -End of Life -Device related -Fall with a Long Lie An incident considered at the Review & Decide Group within the reporting period identified the following learning: timely updating of written notes by care at home staff, especially when multiple carers involved (audit of notes needed for assurance purposes), any concerns re TV to be escalated to DNs quickly and adequate moving and handling/repositioning training to be provided to all carers. Duty of Candour criteria met but unintentional harm linked to care transition. Moving forward focus on organisational learning and service improvement.
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Improvement work underway: VIP Pathway and CRP for Feet (mandatory nursing assessment of feet for neuropathy) - joint initiative with A&B TV and podiatry Pathway - for re-launch end of 2026. Leg ulcer wound pathway development between A&B and GG&C nearly finalised- aims to improve early intervention and vascular referral processes. Joint TV/DN QI Project (SIFS) • Aim: Improve implementation of immediate and necessary care in line with the Scottish Venous Leg Ulcer National Pathway. • Intervention: Introduction of a Venous Leg Ulcer Grab Bag containing essential equipment and resources for staff. • Outcome: Improved access to required products, increased compliance with the pathway, greater staff confidence, and more consistent delivery of evidence- based care for patients with venous leg ulcers. A&B TV collaborative QI Skin Tear Prevention Project with an Argyll & Bute care home. The project's success resulted in the organisation implementing the preventative Skin Tear Grab Box across all of its care homes, embedding best practice in skin tear prevention and supporting improved resident outcomes. Sharp Debridement SOP in final stages of development– aim to clarify remit and scope of practice when undertaking this procedure. A&B enhanced Risk Assessment for frail, low weight, bed bound patients who require a high spec mattress being considered for roll-out across NHSH North. Argyll & Bute Tissue Viability | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026
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Argyll & Bute Violence & Aggression | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026 There has been an overall decrease on average of V&A incidents raised. The volume does reflect an increase in May 2026. What has been observed is a focused area of V&A matters relating CTAC services and patients interactions with staff within this area. There continues to be a significant drop in matters relating to Mental Health and Succoth Ward due to a different patient type currently in the ward. What was V&A matters have altered to Slips, Trips Falls and dementia related patients.
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There was a sharp increase in violent/ aggressive adverse events between April and May this year. The breakdown per Hospital/ Area is as follows: Cowal Community Hospital - 6 Campbeltown Out-patients - 4 Mid Argyll Hospital - 3 Dental Unit - 3 Rothesay (Victoria) Hospital - 2 Campbeltown Hospital - 2 Patient's Home - 2 Office/ Base - 2 Health Centre – 1 V&A Training has been scheduled a year in advance to support with mental health refreshers and to support operational impacts to be kept to a minimum. Argyll & Bute Violence & Aggression | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026
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Medication error reporting is still an area of need for focus and deep dive, with ‘other’ category still significantly high. HEPMA has now been introduced into the Acute setting in Oban, and although this is the case, there are still high administration errors which are identified through pharmacy regularly. Argyll & Bute Medication Errors | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026
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An action which came from the deep dive in Oban, pre HEPMA introduction, was the setting up of a medications error sub meeting. This is still on the agenda, and due to staffing pressures, has not been put into action at this time. A Lead Pharmacist post in Oban is currently vacant and this is a priority of the service to address this need. A recent SBAR has been requested in Oban relating to prescribing, and it is expected a review will support continuous learning in Oban. Argyll & Bute Medication Errors | Aug 2026 Data correct as of 17/07/2026