Robison faces call for probe into care crisis

SCOTLAND’S Health Secretary will today face demands for a full public inquiry into the mental health care crisis at an NHS board.

Shona Robison will be urged to instigate the investigation as more families come forward to tell of their concerns about the levels of care provided by NHS Tayside.

It comes after MSPs last week heard the horrifying story of David Ramsay, who killed himself after being turned away from a psychiatric unit in Dundee.

Miss Robison will insist she will consider a full inquiry – but only if a NHS Tayside probe does not get the information it needs. More than a dozen families are set to converge on Holyrood today for a debate led by Labour demanding a full public inquiry.

Ahead of the debate, Scottish Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: ‘Holyrood must listen to the families of Tayside and back a full public inquiry into mental health services. The tragic case of David Ramsay was not an isolated incident. There are clear problems with mental health services across the region. It is not confined to one unit in one hospital.’

Last week, Nicola Sturgeon was questioned by Labour leader Richard Leonard during First Minister’s Questions about the case of Mr Ramsay, who committed suicide four days after being turned away from the Carseview Centre in Dundee.

NHS Tayside has announced an inquiry into care at Carseview, but campaigners want a full independent inquiry into mental health care in the area.

Last night, the SNP tabled an amendment to Labour’s motion. It said: ‘If the NHS Tayside-commissioned inquiry is hindered in its undertaking by either non-cooperation by providers or by lacking appropriate independence, the Scottish Government should subsequently convert it to an inquiry under the auspices of the Inquiries Act 2005.’

Miss Robison said: ‘I welcome the leadership being shown by NHS Tayside in commissioning an independent inquiry.’

She added: ‘The Scottish Government will give this inquiry our full support.

‘If I believe it is not meeting aspirations, is being hindered in any way or lacks appropriate independence, I will move to strengthen the inquiry.’