The SNP Government's decision to consider axing a number of NHS boards comes in the wake of a series of health service scandals.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Scotland's largest health board consistently denied bacteria in the water at a major hospital was responsible for infections leading to the deaths of patients. But in a statement to a public inquiry, NHSGGC finally admitted issues with the water system at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital probably did cause infections in child cancer patients.
Former Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the deadly problems as the “biggest” scandal of devolution. One of the children was 10-year-old Milly Main, who died after contracting the stenotrophomonas bacteria while undergoing treatment for leukaemia in 2017 at the hospital. Her mum Kimberly Darroch has been steadfast in pursuing answers for her daughter.
A separate criminal investigation into the deaths of Milly and others is ongoing. Jane Grant was the chief executive of NHSGGC when the scandal over Milly's death broke.
NHS Tayside
This health board has been beset by various scandals over the years. In 2012, NHS Tayside received its first emergency loan from the Government to cope with a financial crisis. By 2018, the total “brokerage” loans had reached £45.3 million.
The organisation has also been at the centre of a major patient safety scandal over disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel. Eljamel, who was head of neurosurgery at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital until December 2013, harmed dozens of patients and left some with life-changing injuries.
Jules Rose, a campaigner who has fought for justice, had her tear gland removed by Eljamel instead of a brain tumour. She said last year of NHS Tayside: “They knew exactly what Eljamel was doing. They are complicit in the cover-up, turning a blind eye and allowing him to commit this harm.” A public inquiry is ongoing.
NHS Fife
Nurse Sandie Peggie was suspended in January 2024 after a clash with trans doctor Beth Upton at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Peggie had objected to sharing a female changing room with Dr Upton and claimed her experience amounted to harassment. She took legal action against the NHS Fife and Dr Upton.
She won a partial victory after an employment tribunal outlined four ways in which NHS Fife had harassed Peggie. However, the claims against Dr Upton were dismissed. In 2025, it was reported that NHS Fife's legal costs in the Peggie case had reached at least £320,000. Carol Potter, who was CEO of NHS Fife during the row, took early retirement earlier this year.
NHS Lothian
The health board was forced to delay the opening of a new £150m Sick Kids hospital in 2019 due to critical ventilation and safety defects. The late Jeane Freeman, who was SNP Health Secretary at the time, stepped in at the last minute after learning about problems with the hospital.
In scathing evidence to a public inquiry, Freeman accused NHS Lothian of a "nothing to see here" approach to dealing with last-minute safety concerns. She said she was "furious" to learn about ventilation problems just days before the hospital was due to open. Freeman said at the time: "As far as how NHS Lothian handled matters, I think they attempted a version of, 'nothing to see here - we can fix this, and everything can just go ahead'."
In a separate scandal, mothers and newborn babies came to harm due to staffing shortages and a "toxic" culture at Edinburgh's maternity unit. NHS Lothian commissioned a report after a member of staff raised concerns. The probe upheld or partially upheld 17 concerns about safety.
