THE number of patients being reported missing from NHS facilities in Inverclyde has surged over the last few years.

The statistics were obtained from Police Scotland through Freedom of Information laws and show that while in 2020 there were just five people reported missing from NHS grounds, a total of 18 such incidents were logged last year.

Missing person alerts for people last seen on NHS grounds and hospitals in the area rose by 56 per cent between 2021 and 2022.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board says that the movement of patients within the majority of their sites is unrestricted and that 'in the majority of cases, those who leave the premises in an unplanned way,' return 'safe and well within a short period of time.'

A board spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all of our patients.

"We have a robust missing person protocol in place that staff must adhere to in the event of a person going missing from one of our sites.

"This includes working in close partnership with relevant organisations including Police Scotland and where appropriate, local health and social care partnership and local authority colleagues."

Compared to other local authority areas, Inverclyde has seen one of the highest increases in missing person reports.

Only South Lanarkshire, Falkirk, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Moray and East Ayrshire councils had more.

The figures were released at the same time as other statistics revealed the total number of such alerts across Scotland, following a request made by Greenock-born MSP Jamie Greene.

Across Scotland, 5,523 inquiries into people missing from healthcare facilities have been undertaken by Police Scotland in the last four years – 226 of which were persons under 18.

Mr Greene described the figures as ‘deeply alarming’.

The Conservative MSP said: "This dramatic increase in people going missing from NHS settings shows the trend going in the wrong direction.

"Relatives expect their loved ones to be safe while they are being treated in an NHS facility, whether in Inverclyde or elsewhere.

"The Scottish Government cannot dismiss these figures out of hand.

"They are an urgent wake-up call that should result in local NHS services, the police and local authority social work departments getting the resources they need and deserve, as well as a focus on a co-ordinated approach to this complex issue."

The Scottish Government says that it has 'increased direct mental health investment' leading to 'record high' staffing numbers.

A spokesperson said: "The National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland aims to protect some of Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals and ensure that the families and loved ones left behind are supported.

"The framework enables multi-agency working, ensuring a consistent response is in place for vulnerable people and 99 per cent of all missing people are returned safely.

"There are currently record numbers of staff providing more varied support and services to a larger number of people than ever before.

"The mental health workforce has expanded significantly in recent years, with staffing numbers at a record high.

"Despite this workforce expansion, we know that some children and young people are still waiting too long for treatment.

"In our NHS recovery plan, we have committed to provide sufficient funding for around 320 additional staff in children and adolescent mental health services over the next five years."

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