‘Alarming’ missing statistics

New figures have revealed that more than 250 people went missing from NHS grounds in Forth Valley over the three years to October 2022.

The data has been acquired by the Scottish Conservatives via a written question to Justice Minister Keith Brown, which shows that since 2019-20, more than 5,500 investigations have been carried out by police into missing adults and children.

Over that period between the start of 2019 to October 2022, 226 investigations have been launched into young people under the age of 18 reported as having gone missing on NHS property - with almost 5,300 adults also included in the figures.

In Forth Valley, the tally over that period is 259 - and there are warnings the figure could be higher as the information only includes disappearances reported to the police.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart reported the statistics are“alarming” and“give serious cause for concern”.

He said:“i am deeply alarmed at these figures that people of all ages are being reported missing. Relatives expect their loved ones to be safe while they are staying at or being treated in an NHS facility.

“It also gives serious cause for concern that over 200 investigations have had to be launched in just the last few years to determine the whereabouts of young people who went missing from NHS grounds.

“They will have felt extremely vulnerable and could have been at risk of serious harm after leaving the care of our dedicated NHS staff.

“Relatives must be given a guarantee by ministers that there is not a risk of their loved ones suddenly going missing while under the supervision of our health service. That is completely unjustifiable.”