DOUGLAS Ross has demanded a second public inquiry is launched into a scandal-hit Glasgow hospital – as he will point the finger partly at in-action by the SNP Government in a Holyrood debate this afternoon.
Labour is forcing a vote of no confidence at Holyrood in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board over a series of deaths thought to be linked to infections picked up at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).
Anas Sarwar’s party believe the Scottish Government should intervene and take ministerial control of the board, despite the ongoing public inquiry.
Now the Scottish Conservatives are calling for a second public probe to be launched into the scandal.
Mr Ross’ party has put forward an amendment on today’s debate over the QEUH leadership calling for an inquiry into the oversight from SNP ministers and decisions they made over the handling of avoidable deaths at the QEUH.
READ MORE: QEUH clinicians warned not to 'gaslight staff into thinking they are under attack'
Mr Ross will say that the health board have made “grave mistakes” and change in its leadership is necessary.
But, he will add, the SNP leadership must take responsibility because the failures are systemic and have been going on for years.
Mr Ross said: “Nurses, doctors and NHS staff at the QEUH are doing phenomenal work but they’ve been let down by a lack of effective leadership from the top.
“Those in charge at the health board have made grave mistakes. They must be held accountable. Avoidable deaths cannot simply be tolerated.
“Responsibility ultimately lies with the SNP Government leadership who were supposed to be overseeing the QEUH.
“We must establish what decisions ministers have taken since they first became aware of the scandal of avoidable deaths. They have known about these dreadful mistakes for years. There is no excuse for the systemic failures going on and on the way they have.”
He added: “There is a pattern here where information has to be uncovered by the dedication and persistence of grieving families, when the government and health board should really be transparent and open when mistakes have been made.
“SNP ministers have failed to get a grip of the tragic situation at Scotland’s flagship hospital. They should be held to account just as much as the health board.”
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