The mum of tragic 10-year-old Milly Main has backed plans for a new law named in her memory.
Kimberly Darroch said 'Milly’s Law' would be a “touching tribute” after her daughter died at a scandal-hit Glasgow hospital and urged MSPs to support it.
Milly was recovering from leukaemia at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) when she contracted an infection and died in 2017.
Kimberly only learned about the bug link two years later when a whistleblower bravely came forward to our sister paper the Daily Record.
An investigation found Milly’s infection was “probably” caused by the hospital environment and a criminal probe is ongoing.
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.
Kimberly, of Lanark, said: “This would be a touching tribute and a lasting legacy for Milly. Our hope is that no other family has to suffer like we have, and that’s what drives our fight for justice.
“Given the way the truth was kept from us, and how other families were kept in the dark, it’s clear that a law change is needed in Scotland.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Anas for being on our side and we hope everyone in the Parliament now comes together to make this happen.”
'Milly’s Law' is a five-point plan which Sarwar says puts families and victims first.
A key part of the new 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.
A public champion could be handed powers to establish a panel, as was the case at Hillsborough, to promote transparency.
Another element is a charter for bereaved families which would be binding on public bodies.
It would lay out the obligations of health boards, councils and the police, as well providing whistleblowers with a right to appeal.
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