Families who lost loved ones in a hospital infection scandal have condemned an SNP local branch for dismissing it as ‘a BBC witch hunt’.
The SNP’s Maryhill and Springburn branch dismissed concerns about deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and claimed it is ‘safer than the average in Scotland much safer than many in England’.
It shared a controversial blog which criticised BBC reports which linked deaths including 10-year-old Milly Main’s to infection outbreaks and the QEUH cancer ward.
Local SNP MSP Bob Doris, who represents the Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill constituency, has made no public comment on the post but the SNP said it is sorry for families who lost loved ones and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry was set up to get them the truth they deserve.
The X post by the SNP’s Maryhill and Springburn branch – which was later deleted following media enquiries to the SNP – said: ‘Glasgow’s “super-hospital” is safer than the average in Scotland much safer than many in England and has been so for many years - this is a BBC “Witch hunt”.’
Louise Slorance, whose husband Andrew died in 2020 after catching an Aspergillus infection following his admission to the QEUH for a stem cell transplant, said: ‘This is not the first time that it has been suggested that there is a witch hunt or other imagined scandal.
An inquiry has been set up following deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
‘For those of us who have suffered harm, and those of us who have lost loved ones, please credit us with some intelligence.
‘Individual families identified problems with their own eyes and ears. When serious and avoidable infections were hidden from us, we uncovered them. When we were lied to we researched the evidence, when we were gaslit, we talked to experts, and finally we fought to be heard.
‘If only this was a witch hunt, maybe our loved ones would still be here today.’
The post by the SNP’s Maryhill and Springburn branch had provided a link to an online blog which argued that mortality statistics indicate the QEUH is ‘safer than average in Scotland and far safer than several hospitals in England’.
It highlights one report which said previous independent review of cases ‘connected the deaths of at least two child cancer patients in part to infection linked to the hospital environment’, and states: ‘This is just nonsense.
‘Connecting the deaths of at least two child cancer patients in part to infection linked to the hospital environment is both utterly weak as evidence and does not, in any way, contradict statistics revealing no excess infections in a population of many hundreds.’
Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie said: ‘These appalling remarks should be condemned by John Swinney, as well as the constituency SNP MSPs who represent the branch.
‘Patients died at the QEUH. Their families deserve the truth, not further gaslighting and cover-up.
10-year-old Milly Main died at the QEUH, with her family demanding answers
‘The suggestion that this has all been part of some kind of ‘BBC witch hunt’ is the sort of lines peddled by online cranks and conspiracy theorists.’
Maureen Dynes, whose husband Tony died after being admitted for cancer treatment at the QEUH, said: ‘The BBC are only covering the facts produced from a long running public inquiry which would never have happened if not for the families who have fallen victim speaking out.
‘The below standard ventilation throughout the QEUH and contaminated water have caused harm and in some cases death to patients undergoing treatment. We deserve a safe hospital fit for purpose.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Families have lost loved ones and suffered unimaginably, and we are so sorry for what they have gone through.
‘That is why we set up the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry to ensure families get the truth they deserve.’