Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has raised concerns with the First Minister at Holyrood about the deaths of five people at a mental health hospital ward in Perth.
Four women took their own lives while patients on the Moredun ward at Murray Royal Hospital, but following an investigation by The Courier newspaper, they discovered that a fifth person died at the mental health unit – a fact not previously publicly disclosed.
Mr Fraser says he is pleased to hear that Nicola Sturgeon has now promised to look into the tragic matter.
The general adult psychiatry ward (gap) is for male and female patients aged from 18 to 65, suffering from acute mental health disorders.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “The finding 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 by The Courier 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.”
Mr Fraser raised the issue during today’s First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood.
