AN independent expert in water borne diseases has pledged to set up an unofficial inquiry into the the Legionairres' outbreak in Edinburgh which left four people dead.

 

Dr Mike Allan said that the three-year investigation into the 2012 outbreak, which failed to identify the source, had, "failed all of the families in spectacular fashion."

A total of 92 people were infected with the disease, while hundreds more became ill after breathing in the bacteria.

Lawyers acting on behalf of 40 families have called for a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the outbreak but Dr Allan believes this is "misjudged".

He said: "I know that they mean well, but an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease is never an accident, it is a series of converging circumstances that has negligence and poor communications at its centre.

"I believe that when these outbreaks occur, systems and processes meant to investigate can become confused and fail.

"From the sidelines, I have witnessed nothing short of a circus or fiasco unfold, with long periods of silence from the HSE and the Crown, accompanied by far too many casual observers wanting to throw in their penny's worth.

"The whole gamut of possibilities must be considered in this inquiry, and the role of the lawyers is part of that, and I have requested their cooperation."

Dr Allan, who was employed as a private contractor for NHSGGC for 14 years to lead legionella testing, said he was was consulted by the family of Robert Air, the first person to die in the outbreak, two years ago.

He said: "I made them a promise that, in due course, once the results of the on-going investigation were known, I would step in and assume responsibility for finding out what really happened on their behalf.

"I am particularly keen for those who are still grieving, and those who have been harmed by the disease, to be given a sense of closure in the end.

"That has not been achieved by the investigation which now concluded, as it started, with the assumption, at the highest levels, that the source would never be found."

Dr Allan says he has established the framework for his own inquiry and that if any new evidence comes to light it could form the basis of a private prosecution, if not in a criminal case.

He said: "Someone knows what happened and by coming forward now, in an amnesty so to speak, the matter might be settled sooner rather than later. If not, then the Inquiry will begin to sit during the summer. It could be a long haul, but I am sure it will be worthwhile."

The last outbreak in Scotland happened in the Renfrew area last year, when 11 people were infected. The source of the outbreak has never been identified.