A health board has been blasted for handing out an “excellence” award to its chief executive after patient safety scandals.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar hit out at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde giving CEO Jane Grant a gong for her “inclusive” and “empowering” leadership.
He said: “You can not underestimate how much hurt this will cause to already heartbroken families and staff struggling to fight the system to get justice.”
A review last year found that 84 children and young people picked up infections while undergoing treatment at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, which is under the control of NHSGGC.
Two child deaths were “at least in part” the result of their infection, the report added:
One child, 10 year old Milly Main, died at the QEUH after “probably” catching a water-linked infection at the super-hospital.
A criminal probe has since been launched into Milly’s death.
The Daily Record also revealed the case of father of five Andrew Slorance, who died at the QUEH.
His widow Louise accused hospital bosses of deliberately concealing the circumstances of her husband’s death after she spotted references to an infection in her late husband’s medical notes.
Sarwar responded by calling for senior figures at the health board, including Grant, to resign.
In a video announcement, NHSGGC Chair John Brown said it “wasn’t easy” to decide which team deserved the award.:
“But one team stood out for all the right reasons and I am delighted to announce that the winner of the excellence in leadership awards is Jane Grant and the senior management team.
“I believe everyone who knows something about how NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde works would agree that the senior management team have successfully risen to the many significant and unprecedented challenges we faced over the past two years.
“Under Jane Grant’s leadership, the senior management team have demonstrated and promoted an approach to leadership that can best be described as focused, inclusive, decisive, empowering and supportive.
“Their team working, dedication, resilience and flexibility has enabled them to effectively respond to the many challenges this organisation has faced. This has included swift mobilisation of national programmes of work against a backdrop of the pandemic.
He added: “This has included delivering the vaccination programme, and introducing the test and protect function into Greater Glasgow and Clyde, all at the same time as embedding changes to the way we treat our patients. So congratulations to Jane Grant and the senior management team for this award.
Sarwar hit out at the decision: “Do they have no shame? Children have died. Families heartbroken. Staff failed. A public inquiry. Criminal investigations.
“Instead of being sacked, the Chair presents his own Chief Executive with an award. It’s leadership of brave families & staff that should be awarded.”
He also said of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf: “Your failure to act has embedded this culture. This is on you. Shame.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “Giving this award to the chief executive is not just insensitive, it beggars belief.
“The tragedy of children dying due to infections at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital has left enormous questions to be answered by the chief executive and chairman of the health board.
“The toxic culture at the top of the board has discouraged hard-working and dedicated staff from speaking out about this scandal and grieving families have been left in the dark as a result.
“For those families to hear that the chief executive has received an award for leadership is grossly insulting and offensive.
“In announcing this award and lauding Jane Grant, chairman John Brown has shown himself to be utterly tone deaf.”
Professor John Brown CBE said: “We were delighted to recognise the tremendous contribution of many of our staff at last night's awards, including the senior management team, our corporate directors and those who manage our hospitals and health and social care partnerships. This award was to recognise their exceptional leadership and the organisation's very effective response to the challenges we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We believe it is right to commend people for their contribution, irrespective of where they work and I want to personally thank everyone at NHSGGC for everything they gave to providing health and social care to the people of Greater Glasgow and Clyde during the pandemic.”
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