Custody progress inspection report - Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

In May 2024, a joint custody inspection was undertaken by HMICS and HIS in the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire region, focusing primarily on the custody centres in Clydebank and Oban. Findings from the inspection were published in October 2024 and can be viewed on the HMICS website.

During the inspection, HIS inspectors identified a key area of concern which related to the absence of clinical governance and oversight structures for healthcare provision within Oban police custody centre. HIS communicated these concerns to the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which has responsibility for healthcare provision within the police custody centre in Oban. This was in accordance with an escalation protocol put in place by the scrutiny bodies to respond to concerns identified during a joint custody inspection.

As part of the escalation process, the HSCP were asked to undertake a review of the issues identified and provide a formal update within two weeks of the date of the inspection. The HSCP formal update was subsequently submitted and reviewed by inspectors. Thereafter, a request was made for an action plan to be provided in advance of a pre-arranged visit to the custody centre in order for inspectors to examine the extent to which progress had been made.

The progress inspection took place on 18 March 2025. Inspectors were clear that the purpose of the visit was to focus on the healthcare improvement action plan, with an emphasis on governance arrangements, as well as consideration being given to some of the other healthcare related recommendations made in our initial report.

This report details our findings from the progress inspection undertaken at the custody centre and outlines our evaluation of the remedial measures undertaken by the HSCP in response to the concerns raised within the initial inspection report.

Craig Naylor
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
July 2025