• EMBARGO: 1400 – 4th July 2023 •
3rd July 2023: 1700 – Two statements included.
- Statement by Theresa Mallett, patient harmed by Eljamel and NHS Tayside
“Having promised to visit me at home, from our very public meeting at the Caird Hall on the 24th of June. Humza visited on Monday afternoon to speak with myself, and another harmed patient from the campaign group who was there to support me.
“Humza appeared to be listening to my concerns. He says he’s going to look into my health care urgently. I reminded him that this wasn’t just about me, this is about 117 patients failed by NHS Tayside. But it’s not just NHS Tayside, it’s the staff and management who enabled him. It’s the other NHS health boards. It’s about rebuilding trust for the public in the Scottish NHS system – they need to be confident that they will receive safe healthcare.
“In order to do this, as I told Humza, requires a full Public Inquiry. Why did it take me to have to heckle him to get him to speak to me?
“I have made it clear, on no uncertain terms, that it’s a Public Inquiry that I want, the patients need, and the public must see.
“The recent whilst-blowers paint a picture of collusion and failed clinical governance – and also 5 years before NHS Tayside claims they knew about it. Could this be a bigger problem all over Scotland?!
“I’d been seeing patients coming out and talking about their experiences with Eljamel, and I had to do something. I realised I could get my … and our … views across that a Public Inquiry is the only thing that would help to bring closure to these patients, and restore trust in the Scottish NHS. I had to do something.
“A Public Inquiry would get people under oath, to give evidence and find out who did what, and when. And to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“By the end of our chat today, Humza confirmed he would be writing to give me an update about the offer of help with my health conditions, and an update on my call for a Public Inquiry.”
- Statement by the Patients’ Action Group seeking a Public Inquiry
As you have heard from Theresa Mallett today, one of our supporting members, we are happy to hear that Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland, appeared to be listening to her. Much of what was discussed we have been saying for a long time, and we hope that this time the appropriate actions might be taken: a full Public Inquiry.
Whilst Humza may have been listening and has said that a Public Inquiry is not “off the table”, we wonder why Michael Matheson, the current Scottish Health Secretary, is still of the ill-informed belief that his rejected offer from the 20th of April is still somehow workable. Why is it that their views seem to differ?
We thank Theresa for her time and passion in supporting our call for a Public Inquiry, and we support everything she said in her statement. Another member of our group, Alan Ogilvie, was present to support Theresa and provided additional insights that Humza and his team may not otherwise have known – we thank him for his time.
As ever, we continue to campaign that the only route left…
- to achieve transparent, unbiased, and honest answers.
- to have essential learning and enact real change.
- to hold to account those responsible.
- to help and support those patients living with what happened.
- to rebuild public trust in NHS Tayside to care for them, even now.
…is by having a thorough and independent Public Inquiry.
We must get to the truth as soon as possible,
to safeguard all patients who rely on healthcare in Scotland.
We are demanding a Public Inquiry NOW!! We will not give up.