Seven patients died following mistakes by hospital staff in the Highlands and islands last year, it can be revealed.
The deaths were among more than 45 serious “unexpected or unintended” incidents investigated by health bosses in the region in 2021-22.
Six of the fatalities were in the NHS Highland area and one other was in Shetland.
North MSP Edward Mountain said: “Just one incident is one too many.”
The errors can be revealed as a result of a 2018 law that requires health boards to show that they have apologised to those involved and learned lessons from any major incident that has resulted in the harm or death of a patient.
Known as “duty of candour”, the regulations were brought in to improve transparency following controversies over attempts by some NHS boards to hide their failings.
NHS Highland recorded 36 incidents in 2021-22 which met the “duty of candour” threshold.
This represented a major decrease on the 53 mistakes which were probed under the criteria in 2020-21.
The health board said: “No obvious reason for this reduction has been identified.”
Six of the incidents at NHS Highland facilities resulted in a death, down from eight in the previous year.
The majority of the mistakes, 21 out of 36, resulted in the patient requiring longer treatment.
In two of them, there was a “permanent lessening of bodily, sensory, motor, physiological” functions, while in another there may have been a shortening of life expectancy.
‘Every life that is lost due to a medical error is a tragedy’
Mr Mountain, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “Every life that is lost due to a medical error is a tragedy, just one incident is one too many.
“While I welcome that the number of unexpected and unintended incidents have reduced compared to last year, this will be of little comfort to those patients and their families who have been impacted this year.
“I will continue to press NHS Highland to ensure lessons are learnt so that all patients receive the high-quality care they expect and deserve.”
NHS Shetland investigated 58 adverse events or complaints last year and found three required to be dealt with under “duty of candour” rules.
The incidents included one which resulted in death and two which led to “pain or psychological harm for 28 days or more”.
The board’s report said: “Each adverse event is reviewed to understand what happened and how we might improve the care we provide in the future.”
There were no fatalities involving blunders at NHS Orkney facilities last year, but there were six mistakes probed under “duty of candour” laws.
Four of the patients on Orkney required a longer stay in hospital, and one needed treatment “in order to prevent them from dying”.
NHS Western Isles is still to publish its report for last year, but told The P&J none of its incidents resulted in a death.
An NHS Highland spokeswoman said: “Duty of candour is reported annually as per legislative requirements.
“The report gives an overview of cases where the duty of candour test is met.
“The report offers the chance to consider a wider perspective across the whole organisation.”
Conversation