An SNP councillor praised an NHS chief who spied on a bereaved widow and declared war on another patient’s family.
Renfrewshire Council deputy leader Jacqueline Cameron also branded reporting of the scandals at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde “dangerous”. Cameron, who sits on the board, made the unprompted intervention at a meeting last week, saying she was “frustrated” to see reports about its communications team.
It comes after we revealed the health chief’s £15,000 a year spying operation against widow Louise Slorance.
Cameron said: “I wanted to reflect on media stories about the communications team. I have watched these stories unfold with frustration... I wanted to thank [communications director] Sandra [Bustillo] and the team for the really important work they do.
“These media stories are mischievous at the least and quite dangerous. I imagine morale is pretty low so I just want to say as a board member that I absolutely value the important work you do.”
Louise told us: “Dangerous describes the actions and behaviour of NHSGGC – not the media trying to bring these problems to light.”
The decision to monitor her and her husband’s name online was down to NHSGGC’s chief spin doctor Bustillo. A complaint against her was upheld when an ex-team member said she had made derogatory comments about dad John Cuddihy, whose daughter Molly became infected while a patient at the QEUH.
Bustillo is claimed to have said John may have “won the battle but won’t win the war”.
A Scottish Government said: “The First Minister has been clear that Ms Slorance has every right to raise the concerns she has and has committed to continued engagement with Ms Slorance.”
Cameron was approached for comment.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
