Joint Unannounced Visit/Safe Delivery of Care Inspection Report: Skye House, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow

Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Mental Welfare Commission today (Thursday 19 February) published a report relating to a joint unannounced visit and inspection to Skye House, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which took place in August 2025. 

This is the third published report of Scotland’s in-patient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). We have been jointly visiting and inspecting the three regional services, as well as the national facility. 

Our report highlights:

Areas of good practice

• During our onsite visit/inspection we observed, positive, respectful and responsive interactions between staff and young people.
• Skye House has introduced a care manager role to coordinate young people’s care and be key point of contact for young people’s carers and families.
• Additional funding has been sourced to significantly increase the nursing staff, and to review and increase the multidisciplinary team.
• Regular reflective practice and debrief sessions are available for staff.
• Skye House has an indoor gymnasium and outdoor spaces as well as access to an outdoor multi-use games area.
• All young people are offered a fortnightly young person’s meeting which enables young people to provide feedback and ask questions about their care plan.

Areas for improvement

• Significant concerns were expressed about the attitudes of some staff who were said to lack compassion and empathy.
• A robust workforce model is required to address long-standing gaps in staffing at Skye House.
• Restraint recording requires to be consistent in terms of numbers and detail. Multiple restraints need to be recorded as such to avoid under-reporting.
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should consider adding self-harm and suicide prevention training to mandatory training for Skye House staff.
• Meaningful activity must be provided consistently, including evenings and weekends.
• Adequate provision of mealtime support must be provided ensuring a therapeutic environment during mealtimes and a full range of dietary options.
• All young person’s care documentation must be accurately and consistently completed and reviewed appropriately, and young people and their families involved in planning their care, and that this is clearly documented.
• Our visit and inspection resulted in nine areas for improvement and 16 requirements.

Speaking of the report, Robbie Pearson, Chief Executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and Julie Paterson, Chief Executive of the Mental Welfare Commission, said:

“Skye House is a key service for the West of Scotland, providing specialist care for young people. During this joint visit, Healthcare Improvement Scotland reviewed how the overall system of care is organised, while the Mental Welfare Commission focused on the direct experiences of young people and their families/carers.
“The report highlights the voices and experiences of young people and emphasises the need to strengthen and maintain a positive, respectful culture. It is essential that every young person consistently receives empathetic and compassionate care and that practice is fully compliant with the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act.
“We also saw positive examples of visible leadership, with a supportive environment for staff and examples of good practice. 
“We are confident that the requirements and recommendations are the right ones to ensure significant change in the care that young people receive. 
“An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and we expect the NHS board to address the areas for improvement and prioritise the requirements to meet national standards.”