NHS Tayside has announced an independent inquiry into mental health services at the Carseview Centre in Dundee.
The move comes after the Scottish Government was accused of ignoring grieving families in the Dundee area.
The campaign group Lost Souls of Dundee claims it has identified at least 10 suicides which could have been prevented has better help been available at Carseview.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard challenged First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about the deaths at First Minister’s Questions.
Just over 24 hours later, NHS Tayside announced it would commission an independent inquiry into mental health services at Carseview.
NHS Tayside chairman John Brown said: “Our aim is that this report will not only give the board robust independent assurance that the recommendations of the recent Health Improvement Scotland and Mental Welfare Commission inspection reports are being implemented, but will also provide an opportunity to capture the concerns of the patients and families who use the services.
“If the report highlights any areas for improvement, or flags up issues where we can learn lessons, we will make any changes required immediately.”
Gillian Murray from Lost Souls Dundee, attended the Scottish Parliament for First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.
Her uncle David Ramsay killed himself after being refused admission to Carseview.
She said: “I’m pleased at this announcement but it is not the end – this is just the first step.
“We have cross-party support and want a full public inquiry.
“I think now they know the scale of this they can’t get away with it. I think they’ve been forced to make this decision.
“It’s good they have listened but it is sad so many people have to had to take their lives for it to come to this.”
Mr Leonard said: “This is a welcome step forward.
“But the reality is that it should not have taken years of campaigning by bereaved families – and a tragedy being raised at First Minister’s Questions – to deliver this limited review.
“It is essential that the review goes wider than just Carseview as the grieving families demand. That is why a full NHS Tayside-wide public inquiry must stay on the table.”
After her case was raised in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Murray became the target of online abuse from some social media users claiming to support the SNP.
She said she was still coming to terms with the circumstances of her uncle’s death and had been up all night because of the abuse.
One Twitter user said Ms Murray was “nothing but a Labour stooge”.
Another using the handle @ITrustInSNP wrote: “You are probably Labour, this is what my ex party does, go looking for Lab folk who are gunning for SNP but more importantly Lab & Tories getting you to mention Shona resign… you are just a puppet, happy to do Lab n Tory bidding! Shame on you!”
You are probably Labour, this is what my ex party does, go looking for Lab folk who are gunning for SNP but more importantly Lab & Tories getting you to mention Shona resign..you are just a puppet, happy to do Lab n Tory bidding! Shame on you!
— ElaineBotBot (@ITrustInSNP) May 3, 2018
The harassment prompted health secretary and Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison to personally intervene.
She Tweeted: “Gillian Murray and her family have every right to raise their concerns and shouldn’t be criticised for doing so.
“The voices of patients and their families are hugely important in our health service.”
Gillian Murray & her family have every right to raise their concerns and shouldn’t be criticised for doing so. The voices of patients & their families are hugely important in our health service.
— Shona Robison MSP (@ShonaRobison) May 4, 2018
Ms Murray raised her concerns with opposition parties after not receiving any response from the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government yesterday apologised and said mental health minister Maureen Watt had sent a response, but the email address had been mis-typed.
A spokesman said: “On April 6 Ms Watt signed a letter of response to Ms Murray to be sent to her by email. Following Ms Murray’s comments that she has not received that letter, Scottish Government officials re-checked and discovered that the email and letter to Ms Murray was sent on 6 April, but her email address was mistyped.
“As a result, she did not receive it.
“Ms Watt has today written Ms Murray to offer her sincerest apology over this matter and for the upset Ms Murray and the other members of David Ramsay’s family have felt as a result.”
