The Inquiry was established in August 2020 and has now been running for more than five years. As of mid 2025, the cumulative publicly reported cost of the Inquiry stood at approximately £27.5m, with the final outturn cost yet to be determined and published. These figures matter because they shape what is reasonable for Scottish taxpayers to expect in return, in terms of lessons learnt, to ensure that they do not recur. Why was this major NHS Scotland project delivered successfully while other projects of comparable scale and complexity were not? Given the duration and public cost of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, it is not unreasonable for taxpayers to expect learning that is comprehensive and inclusive, rather than selective.

Source: The Herald January 16, 2026 16:05 UTC