Psychiatric Hospital Staff Neglect Patients, Prioritize Mobile Phones

In a damning report, inspectors from Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) have uncovered major failings in the care provided at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. During an unannounced visit in June 2025, inspectors found that staff were frequently "focusing on their mobile phones" instead of properly monitoring patients being held in "non-standard" areas due to bed shortages.

The report states that the "majority of interview rooms and quiet rooms" at the hospital were being used to accommodate patients, despite these spaces having furniture that "presented a ligature risk" for suicidal individuals. Inspectors observed that while staff should have been providing "continuous interventions" for these vulnerable patients, many were simply "sitting outside the patient's room" or had the bedroom door and blinds closed, making it difficult to observe or interact with the patients.

HIS immediately raised these serious concerns with senior managers at NHS Lothian, who took action to address the issues. However, this is the second critical report about NHS Lothian in just over two weeks, following concerns raised in October about maternity care in the region.

The hospital acknowledged the challenges it faces due to increased demand for inpatient beds, but emphasized its commitment to providing safe, effective care and supporting its staff. Measures are now being taken to reconfigure wards, improve leadership oversight, and recruit additional nurses and healthcare workers to ensure patients receive the care they deserve.