The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Answers still sought over mum’s death
MORE THAN two years after a Fife woman plunged 30ft to her death from a window at Queen Margaret Hospital, her family are still fighting for answers.
Josephine Mowat, 61, from Cardenden, had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and was in hospital after undergoing major surgery.
Recovering well, Mrs Mowat, known as Josie, who was well known in racing greyhound circles, was moved from the high-dependency unit to another ward, where she was counting down the days until she was allowed home.
On a visit to her in November 2011 husbandAlf was concerned about his wife’s emotional wellbeiwellbeing — and it was to be the last time he sasaw her. Alf was called during the night of NovemNovember 17 to be told Josie had suffesuffered a fall and had later succumbed tto her terrible injurinjuries.
HeartbrHeartbroken, Alf spent ththe next nine mmonths tirelessly trying to discover what happened to his beloved wife until he sadly passed away from cancer in August 2012.
Daughter Karen and sons David and Richard vowed to continue the fight to get justice for their mum.
Karen said: “The investigation into my mum’s death went on for months. For what? We still do not have answers to the questions that we need answered.
“In the space of a year we lost our mum in horrific circumstances and we watched our dad die of cancer with a broken heart.
“I believe the speed at which my dad became ill and passed away was a direct result of what happened to our mum.”
The children were left devastated when they were told there would be no fatal accident inquiry. They were also informed there was not sufficient evidence to advance a claim in relation to clinical negligence.
They are now to pursue a civil case against NHS Fife in terms of breach of the health and safety procedures relating to window restrictors in Mrs Mowat’s room.
An NHS Fife spokesman said: “We would like to take the opportunity to extend our condolences to Mrs Mowat’s family.
“This matter is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and, as such, we are unable to make further comment.”