Criticism is vindicated, says niece

One of the leading campaigners for a mental health inquiry has said David Strang’s report vindicates many of her criticisms of NHS Tayside.

Gillian Murray’s uncle David Ramsay took his own life days after being turned away for treatment at Carseview in 2016.

Ms Murray has long blamed the health board for David’s death and was pivotal in the campaign that brought about Mr Strang’s independent inquiry.

She said: “The first thing that struck me about the report was the title: Trust and Respect.

“My experience and my family’s experience with NHS Tayside following David’s death has been a complete lack of respect and honesty.

“The irony is, if NHS Tayside had been honest to us following David’s death then I would not have campaigned for answers, I would not have campaigned to parliament, there would be no inquiry and this report would not exist.”

While Ms Murray admits she will always blame NHS Tayside for her uncle’s death, she hopes the recommendations ensure no one else has to go through the same treatment.

She added: “This report is hopefully a turning point for NHS Tayside but empty words and platitudes mean nothing without real change.

“I can never forgive the health board for the way in which my family and I were treated following David’s death, but I do hope they will never treat another bereaved family in the same manner we were.

“I am thankful that this report finally outlines everything that I, and others, have been saying for years.”

Like fellow campaigner Mandy Mclaren, Ms Murray warned she will keep an eye on how the health board reacts to the report.

She added: “If changes are not made and the status quo remains, I will never be silent.

“I cannot and will not sit back and watch the most vulnerable in society being failed.

“The events of October 2016 when David was failed will haunt me to my dying days, but if this report will transform mental health services and save lives then maybe I will start to see a light at the end of the tunnel.”