SCOTLAND’S SNP government must investigate a surge in the numbers of patients who die in “adverse events” at health boards across the Central Belt, Scottish Labour demanded today.

Figures revealed through freedom of information requests by the party show a rise in deaths from such incidents across a number of Scottish health boards, including Ayrshire and Arran, Forth Valley and Highlands.

However, the largest increases were recorded by NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothians.

Lothians saw the number of “adverse events” grow by 53.9 per cent between 2019 and 2023, while Lanarkshire’s number more than doubled, jumping by 103 per cent over the same period.

NHS Scotland defines an “adverse event” as “an unexpected or avoidable event that could have resulted in unnecessary serious harm or death,” with the most critical resulting in reviews and, since 2020, Health Improvement Scotland being informed.

Pointing to earlier warnings from the BMA and Unison that the workforce crisis in the Scottish NHS is putting patient safety in peril, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “Each of these figures represents a family with questions over how their loved one has died. 

“It’s worrying that these uncommon events are becoming all too common.   

“Overworked NHS staff are doing their best under pressure, but they can’t compensate for the lack of a proper workforce plan.

“The SNP must act quickly to establish the facts behind this deeply worrying trend and ensure patients are safe while staff get the support they need.” 

Responding to the calls for an investigation, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Patient safety is our first priority and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by these incidents.

“We are committed to transparency, improving standards and learning lessons when something goes wrong.”