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 leukemia 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 the Record.
An investigation found that 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 and 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 to the public champion if they felt the charter had been breached.
In Milly’s case, Sarwar has claimed that whistleblowers were treated appallingly by the local health board.
Another strand of Milly’s Law is improving access to legal advice and representation for families so they can participate at public inquiries.
The new law would also require evidence and findings in public inquiries to be taken into account at any subsequent criminal trial.
Finally, a “duty of candour” for public bodies would be extended.
Sarwar, who yesterday led a debate at Holyrood on the plan, said: “It is deeply humbling to have Kimberly’s support for Milly’s Law.
“Kimberly and her family have shown incredible courage and dignity in the face of tragic circumstances.
“I will not rest until they get the answers and the justice they deserve.
“This must be a watershed moment in our politics - where we recognise that for far too many people - when they need help the most - their government and their institutions work against them, not for them.
“We will change the law to fundamentally reset the balance - and create a system that is on the side of families, not institutions, and that delivers justice, not cover-ups.
“In recognition of Kimberly’s fight for justice, we will call this new law ‘Milly’s Law’.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have committed to a Patient Safety Commissioner as part of our Programme for Government (PFG) commitments to ensure the patient voice is heard in the NHS. A consultation has been undertaken on this and we continue to work with patients and experts to develop the scope of the Commissioner role.
“We will consider any Bill when it is published, and we will look forward to the consultation on this being brought forward.
“Hospitals work hard to ensure they have effective infection prevention and control measures in place. When issues do emerge it is right and proper that they are fully investigated and acted upon.”
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