The fatal Cameron House fire and C-Diff outbreak were discussed during a parliament debate calling for a new law putting families first in the wake of public tragedies and scandals.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar last week unveiled plans for Milly’s Law – based on the so-called Hillsborough model of giving bereaved families more rights.
It’s named after 10-year-old Milly Main who was recovering from leukaemia at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) when she contracted an infection and died in
2017.
An investigation found her infection was “probably” caused by the hospital environment and a criminal probe is ongoing.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said the new law would put families at the centre and even up the power balance between relatives and powerful institutions.
She referenced the Cameron House tragedy, which has seen the mum of one of the two men killed campaign for justice after hotel bosses admitted to serious failings, as well as the C-Diff outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital which was linked to 34 deaths.
The heartbreak of those affected made worse by it taking seven years for relatives to get an apology after an investigation blamed the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for serious failings.
A key part of Milly’s Law would be the creation of an “independent public advocate” to act on behalf of families of the deceased.
These publicly funded advisers would step in to help vulnerable families after revelations of public tragedy and scandal.
Another element is a charter for bereaved families which would be binding on public bodies.
The Labour politician said: “It is only because of the dogged determination of these families during their darkest hours that the truth has been revealed.
“That is simply not right.
“The C-Diff outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital in my own constituency left the families at least 34 victims fighting for an apology for seven years long years. Fighting an uphill battle for justice when they should have been grieving was inhumane.”
Moving on to the tragic Cameron House fire in 2018, which claimed the lives of Richard Dyson, 38, and Simon Midgley, 32, she told how mum Jane is still fighting for answers over four years on.
She said Jane has no legal representation in her fight as she is unable to get legal aid.
Ms Baillie said: “The problem isn’t exclusive to public health tragedies.
“It will be five years this year since the fire and despite the criminal case being concluded, Jane is still waiting for answers.
“The next stage is the FAI to ensure lessons are learned from this tragedy but it’s dragged on.”
