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Custody inspection report - Edinburgh

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  • HMICS Custody inspection report - Edinburgh
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Inspection reports

21st May 2026

This inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), aimed to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained at St Leonards police custody centre in the Edinburgh local policing division. The report provides an analysis of the quality of custody centre operations and the provision of healthcare services. It outlines key findings identified during our inspection and makes five recommendations for Police Scotland concerning custody operations. It highlights previous recommendations made in recent inspections of other custody centres across Scotland where the same, or similar, issues were found to be evident. The report also makes five recommendations for NHS Lothian, which has responsibility for the provision of healthcare at the centre.

Additional

  • Custody inspection report - Edinburgh
  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for improvement
  • Previous recommendations
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Healthcare

  • Custody inspection report - Edinburgh
  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for improvement
  • Previous recommendations
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Healthcare

Recommendation 1

Police Scotland should examine concerns raised resulting from the configuration of the holding room and introduce appropriate risk management arrangements to mitigate risks identified.

Recommendation 2

Police Scotland should take steps to address repeated manual data entry across multiple platforms to reduce repetition and improve efficiency.

Recommendation 3

Police Scotland should ensure that custody supervisors conduct effective handovers in relation to criminal justice decisions and care plans, and that such discussions are accurately recorded on the National Custody System.

Recommendation 4

NHS Lothian should ensure staff are compliant with their mandatory training.

Recommendation 5

NHS Lothian should ensure that IPC audits are completed in a way that reliably identifies damage to the care environment and that repairs are carried out to allow effective cleaning and decontamination.

Recommendation 6

Police Scotland should ensure that clinical waste bags are securely stored.

Recommendation 7

NHS Lothian should ensure staff are compliant with Immediate Life Support training.

Recommendation 8

Police Scotland should ensure that custody staff follow Criminal Justice Service Division guidance in relation to maintaining confidentiality when patients are undergoing interventions and treatments by the healthcare team.

Recommendation 9

NHS Lothian should review the Standard Operating Procedures related to medicines management to ensure that guidance on the safe and effective use of medicines is clearly defined. Healthcare staff must adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures in place.

Recommendation 10

NHS Lothian should ensure that compliance aids are labelled in accordance with legal requirements, including correct administration guidance and appropriate warnings.

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