‘First time NHS has shown us humanity’

FA M I L I E S o f s u i c i d e v ict i ms say they a re willing to put their faith in NHS Tayside for the first time following an apology from health chiefs.

Tayside health boss Grant Archibald made what he called a “heartfelt apology” following the damning final report of the Independent Inquiry into Mental Health Services in Tayside published earlier this month.

The report, written by former prisons boss Dr David Strang, issued dozens of recommendations which the board has promised to follow.

A detailed action plan is being compiled by health chiefs between now and June, with monthly updates on its progress promised.

Mr Archibald told a meeting at

Ninewells: “I knew when I came here this was outstanding and knew we were going to have a very challenging report to deal with and a challenge of how we change ourselves.

“I’d like to apologise to anyone whose experience in recent years has been less than could be reasonably expected.

“It’s a personal apology on behalf of me and my executive team.

“It’s essential we understand that people’s experiences fell way short of what you should have expected of us.

“We need to be courageous enough to embrace these stories to learn from them.”

Mandy McLaren, whose son Dale Thomson died in 2015, attended the meeting to hear Mr Archibald’s apology in person.

She said later: “It feels good, for the first time in a long time.

“What still gets me is that all this could have been avoided, and that needs to change.

“I liked what he said, but they have to follow through. But I’m going to give them a chance.

“Mr Archibald came and faced us, which is something none of the others have done before.

“I’m putting a bit of faith in him. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

Gillian Murray, who lost her uncle David Ramsay in 2016, said: “It has been a first in my dealings with NHS Tayside regarding the failings in mental health services that we have been treated with some humanity.

“That is all we ever asked for: to be listened to, to be respected and for actions to be implemented.”