Concerns about the tragic deaths of five people at a mental health hospital ward in Perth have been raised with the First Minister at Holyrood.
It comes after it was revealed a fifth patient died at Moredun Ward in Murray Royal Hospital between May 2013 and January 2021, where only four of them had been made public previously.
The general adult psychiatry ward (gap) is for male and female patients aged from 18 to 65, suffering from acute mental health disorders.
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said on Thursday the patients and their families have been “failed” as he pressed Nicola Sturgeon to take action.
The SNP leader agreed to look at failings uncovered at the mental health ward saying “lessons need to be learned”.
At First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, she said: “These are very serious issues and where lessons need to be learned they are learned by health boards and where necessary by the government.
“I will ensure that I become aware of that detail and I’m happy to write to Murdo Fraser when I have had the opportunity to do so.”
Mr Fraser said he was pleased to hear that Ms Sturgeon promised to look into the tragic matter.
Commenting, he said: “The findings from the Courier investigation that another person had sadly died on the Moredun Ward between May 2013 and January 2021 is shocking, and made worse by the fact that this death, nor the circumstances surrounding it, has ever been made public.
“That is an absolute scandal and a disgrace that it took an investigation to reveal these details.
“These were patients being looked after in a hospital to keep them free from harm, but they and their families have been failed.
“That is why I asked the First Minister why this is happening and what is being done to stop it.
“I was pleased that she confirmed she would look into it as the families and friends of these patients deserve answers.
“NHS Tayside were previously fined £120,000 after it admitted guilt in the criminal findings that led to the deaths of three women on Moredun Ward between May 2013 and November 2015, but the health board now faces serious questions as to why the death of this fifth person was hushed up.”
