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NHS Staff Witness Support

NHS Staff may be cited at some point in their professional career in relation to cases such as:-

  • Public Inquiry (for the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry – please see guidance and FAQs)
  • Litigation cases – Personal Injury/Medical Negligence Claims
  • Procurator Fiscal Office Investigation (SUD)/ Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI)
  • Criminal Trial
  • Nursing and Midwifery Hearing (NMC)
  • Children’s Hearing

What witness support can offer staff:-

  • One to one practical and emotional support to listen and address your specific concerns and/or questions 
  • Group Support – at times, various staff from one ward/department may be cited
  • Q & A sessions covering expectations of witness
  • Working in collaboration with external agencies such as Witness Service, Victim Information and Advice (VIA), NMC enabling a dedicated staff centred approach for NHS witnesses
  • Court Familiarisation visit in advance of trial  (subject to COVID restrictions)
  • Support in court on day of giving your evidence (subject to COVID restrictions)
  • A dedicated point of support and guidance to you throughout the legal process aiding in your preparation and familiarisation of court and legal process. 
  • Practical information around court processes and expectation of witnesses

Please read over the appropriate pages linked to the side relating to the type of case you are cited to attend. If further support is required, please get in touch with Rachel McGowan or your appropriate Legal Claims Manager for your area if matters relate to a legal claim against the Board.

The Witness Support and Corporate Legal Manager is based at West Glasgow ACH. 

Please note: Witness Support is not coaching, influencing or tactical support and advice for attending Court. Witness Support offers reassurance for NHS staff who have been cited to attend Court. 

The following videos highlight the support available to NHSGGC staff around Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAI) and Sudden and Unexpected Death Investigations (SUD)

Privacy Notice

As part of our requirements under Data Protection legislation, we have published a Staff Privacy Notice. By issuing this privacy notice, we demonstrate our commitment to openness and accountability.

We recognise the need to treat staff’s personal and sensitive data in a fair and lawful manner. No personal information held by us will be processed unless the requirements for fair and lawful processing can be met.

Contact Information

Rachel McGowan, Witness Support and Corporate Legal Manager based at West Glasgow ACH. Working as a Witness Support and Corporate Legal Manager involves me working closely with a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical staff across the organisation in relation to various legal cases on behalf of the Board. 

If you have been asked to attend a Scottish Hospitals Inquiry oral hearing, this short video will provide you with an overview of the hearing room before you arrive. 

More Information