The “appalling” treatment of an elderly dementia patient in Ninewells Hospital is a “sad reflection on all of us,” a Dundee MSP has told his parliamentary colleagues.
The SNP’s Joe FitzPatrick raised the death of the 80-year-old woman, known only as Mrs V, as the Scottish Parliament debated the way forward for the health service on Wednesday.
However, the Dundee West MSP stressed he was confident procedures, including staff training, had been put in place to prevent similar tragedies.
As we reported, Mrs V died of pneumonia on December 19, 2008 16 days after she began receiving heavy doses of medication for her condition. Her treatment was condemned in a recent report from the Mental Welfare Commission.
Addressing the Holyrood chamber, Mr FitzPatrick said, “The circumstances of this case should never have occurred. Systems should have been in place to identify the failings of care which led to the death of Mrs V. It was an appalling catalogue of errors.”
He added that he had met senior NHS Tayside staff to discuss the issue and had been reassured new systems were in place, although he said that would be “cold comfort” for Mrs V’s family.
This week health secretary Nicola Sturgeon revealed improved care of the elderly and dementia patients would be a “personal priority.”
During Wednesday’s debate she pointed out that the number of people aged over 75 is likely to increase by almost 60% by 2033.
Ms Sturgeon said, “Over the next 20 years, demography alone could increase spending in health and social care by over 70%.”
On the economics of healthcare, she said efficiency and quality should become “two sides of the same coin.”
She said this should be done by ensuring healthcare remains free at the point of delivery, and rejecting the kinds of changes to the health service being introduced in England and Wales.
Ms Sturgeon said, “We need to articulate and work towards a 2020 vision of an NHS and healthcare fit for the future. For me this 2020 vision is one where we have integrated primary and social care, a focus on prevention, anticipation, supported self-management in order that everyone can live longer, healthier lives at home or in the community.”
Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie claimed the NHS’s problems, when taken together, “paint a picture of a service that is starting to creak at the seams.”
The debate also saw the issue of minimum pricing of alcohol raised again.
The previous minority SNP Government failed to win over the Holyrood opposition when the legislation was brought before MSPs last year, but are expected to use their new majority to bring it in soon.
The Scottish Lib Dems have said they will now back the measure, but Labour and the Conservatives remain opposed.
Ms Sturgeon said, “Deaths from liver disease in Scotland are now the highest in western Europe, and that’s why as a government we will prioritise action to address our relationship with alcohol.
“We have said that we will take action to introduce a minimum price but also to ensure smooth implementation of the Alcohol Act that was passed last year.
“That will of course introduce a number of measures, including a ban on quantity discounts in off-sales and a restriction on where material promoting alcohol may be displayed.”