R29 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Patient weighing equipment

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that there is appropriate equipment in each ward to weigh all patients. Patients should be weighed on admission and at least weekly thereafter.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Scottish Government, this recommendation was accepted, detailing significant investment in NHS estates and equipment, including increased funding for NHS boards for equipment replacement. According to Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Excellence in Care framework, nutritional standards are included that require patient weighing on admission, with the CAIR Dashboard monitoring weighing compliance across all NHS boards; furthermore, according to the available evidence, no further published evidence has been identified since 2025.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 3.1 of the Scottish Government's response addresses the need for appropriate equipment by detailing investment in NHS estates, assets, facilities, and equipment. The government has committed over £400 million to improve NHS infrastructure between 2014 and 2016, with additional estimated funding through other models. NHS boards receive formula-based funding allocations for routine maintenance and equipment replacement, which will rise to £157.2 million in 2015/16. This increased allocation allows boards to continue to focus on equipment replacement, such as weighing equipment.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
01 Jan 2025
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Other

Excellence in Care framework includes nutritional standards requiring patient weighing on admission. CAIR Dashboard monitors nutrition measures including weighing compliance across all boards.

View detailed findings

National nutritional screening and monitoring standards include weighing requirements.

CAIR Dashboard - nutrition measures View Source
Source
Inquiry Vale of Leven Inquiry
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
View Source
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Themes & Tags
Inadequate hospital care for learning disabled Inaccurate and inaccessible patient records Nursing Nutrition
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago